Shloka 26

Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds

Devanagari script

पुष्पभक्ष्यफलैर्युक्तम् एवं कृत्वाधिवासनम् कुम्भान् सजलगर्भांस्तान् वासोभिः परिवेष्टयेत् //

Transliteration

puṣpabhakṣyaphalairyuktam evaṃ kṛtvādhivāsanam kumbhān sajalagarbhāṃstān vāsobhiḥ pariveṣṭayet //

Translation

Having thus performed the adhivāsana (preliminary sanctifying rite) with flowers, offerings of edible delicacies, and fruits, one should then wrap those water-filled ritual pots (kumbhas) with cloths.

Word by Word

• पुष्प (puṣpa): flowers

• भक्ष्य (bhakṣya): edible offerings/sweetmeats

• फल (phala): fruits

• युक्तम् (yuktam): furnished with, accompanied by

• एवम् (evaṃ): thus

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having done

• अधिवासनम् (adhivāsanam): preliminary sanctification rite, ritual perfuming/impregnation before installation

• कुम्भान् (kumbhān): pots, ritual jars

• सजलगर्भान् (sajalagarbhān): having water within, water-filled (lit. ‘with water as their womb/contents’)

• तान् (tān): those

• वासोभिः (vāsobhiḥ): with cloths/garments

• परिवेष्टयेत् (pariveṣṭayet): should wrap/encircle/cover.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, in an architectural/ritual manual context)

Entities Mentioned

• Kumbha (ritual pot)
• Adhivāsana (sanctification rite)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Temple ritual
• Pratishtha
• Kumbha
• Adhivāsana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to ritual procedure, prescribing how to sanctify and prepare water-filled kumbhas for a consecration context.

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

It presents a householder/royal patron’s dharmic duty of supporting proper temple or sacred-space rites—providing offerings (flowers, food, fruits) and ensuring correct, orderly preparation of ritual vessels.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies a key Pratiṣṭhā step: after adhivāsana, the kumbhas must be water-filled and wrapped in clean cloth—standard purity, containment, and sanctity measures in Vastu/temple installation rites.