Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds

Devanagari script

शुक्लमाल्याम्बरधरः शुक्लगन्धानुलेपनः सर्वौषध्युदकैस्तत्र स्नापितो वेदपारगैः //

Transliteration

śuklamālyāmbaradharaḥ śuklagandhānulepanaḥ sarvauṣadhyudakaistatra snāpito vedapāragaiḥ //

Translation

Wearing a white garland and white garments, and anointed with white, fragrant unguents, he was then bathed there with water infused with all medicinal herbs, by those fully accomplished in the Vedas.

Word by Word

• śukla: white/pure/auspicious

• mālya: garland

• ambara: garment/cloth

• dharaḥ: wearing/bearing

• śukla-gandha: white/pure fragrance (auspicious scent)

• anulepanaḥ: anointing/unction (smearing of perfume/unguents)

• sarva: all

• auṣadhi: medicinal herbs

• udakaiḥ: with waters

• tatra: there/in that place/at that time

• snāpitaḥ: was bathed/caused to bathe (ritually)

• veda-pāragaiḥ: by those who have 'gone to the far shore of the Veda' (Veda-knowers/ritual experts)

Speaker

• Suta (narration within the Matsya Purana’s instructional flow; ritual specialists implied)

Entities Mentioned

• Veda-knowers (vedapāragāḥ)
• Medicinal herbs (auṣadhi)
• Ritual bath (snāna)

Tags

• Ritual Bath
• Purification
• Iconography
• Auspiciousness
• Temple Ritual

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on ritual purity and auspicious preparation—white attire, fragrant anointing, and a medicinal-herb bath administered by Veda-trained priests.

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

It reflects the dharmic duty to undertake rites through qualified Vedic experts and to maintain śauca (purity): using prescribed dress, scents, and consecratory bathing before major vows, worship, donations, or public ceremonies.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it outlines a consecratory snāna/abhisheka protocol—herb-infused water, white garments/garlands, and anulepana—commonly aligned with temple worship, installation (pratiṣṭhā), or sacred initiatory preparation.