Shloka 27

Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds

Devanagari script

पुष्पगन्धैरलंकृत्य द्वारपालान्समन्ततः पठध्वमिति तान्ब्रूयाद् आचार्यस्त्वभिपूजयेत् //

Transliteration

puṣpagandhairalaṃkṛtya dvārapālānsamantataḥ paṭhadhvamiti tānbrūyād ācāryastvabhipūjayet //

Translation

Having adorned the gatekeepers on all sides with flowers and fragrant offerings, the officiating ācārya should tell them, “Recite (your hymns).” Thereupon, the ācārya should duly honor and worship them.

Word by Word

• puṣpa: flowers

• gandha: fragrance, perfume

• puṣpagandhaiḥ: with flowers and fragrances

• alaṃkṛtya: having adorned, having decorated

• dvārapālān: the door-guardians/gatekeepers

• samantataḥ: on all sides, all around

• paṭhadhvam: recite, chant (imperative, plural)

• iti: thus

• tān: them

• brūyāt: he should say

• ācāryaḥ: the preceptor/officiant

• tu: and/indeed

• abhipūjayet: should worship/honor respectfully

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s ritual/temple-procedure discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Dvārapālas (Gatekeepers)
• Ācārya

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Temple Ritual
• Dvarapala
• Puja Vidhi
• Mantra Recitation

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on ritual protocol—adorning and honoring gatekeepers as part of sacred-space procedure.

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

It reflects the duty to uphold dharma through proper worship: honoring protectors of a sacred space and following an ācārya’s guidance, a model applicable to household shrines and royal temples alike.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It prescribes a threshold/entrance rite: the dvārapālas (guardian deities at gateways) are decorated with flowers and fragrances, instructed to recite, and then formally worshiped—highlighting the ritual sanctification of the temple entrance in Vastu-aligned practice.