Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds

Devanagari script

हेमालंकारिणः कार्याः पञ्चविंशतिऋत्विजः कुण्डलानि च हैमानि केयूरकटकानि च //

Transliteration

hemālaṃkāriṇaḥ kāryāḥ pañcaviṃśatiṛtvijaḥ kuṇḍalāni ca haimāni keyūrakaṭakāni ca //

Translation

Twenty-five officiating priests (ṛtvijas) should be appointed and adorned with gold ornaments—gold earrings, armlets, and bracelets as well.

Word by Word

• hema: gold

• alaṃkāriṇaḥ: ornamented/adorned persons

• kāryāḥ: should be made/appointed/arranged

• pañcaviṃśati: twenty-five

• ṛtvijaḥ: officiating priests

• kuṇḍalāni: earrings

• ca: and

• haimāni: made of gold

• keyūra: armlet

• kaṭakāni: bracelets/bangles

• ca: and

• (iti): thus

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a prescriptive ritual context)

Entities Mentioned

• Ṛtvij (officiating priests)

Tags

• Yajna
• Ritual protocol
• Priestly roles
• Ornamentation
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

What does this verse reveal about the creation or dissolution (Pralaya)?

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on ritual protocol—specifically, appointing and honoring priests for a ceremony.

How does this verse relate to the duties of a King or Householder?

It reflects the patron’s duty (king or yajamāna/householder) to properly appoint the required number of priests and honor them with fitting gifts and adornment, ensuring the rite is performed with dignity and completeness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the prescribed staffing and honorific adornment of the officiants: a full complement of twenty-five ṛtvijas, marked by gold ornaments (earrings, armlets, bracelets) as part of formal yajña decorum.