Shloka 28

Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds

Devanagari script

बह्वृचौ पूर्वतः स्थाप्यौ दक्षिणेन यजुर्विदौ सामगौ पश्चिमे तद्वद् उत्तरेण त्वथर्वणौ //

Transliteration

bahvṛcau pūrvataḥ sthāpyau dakṣiṇena yajurvidau sāmagau paścime tadvad uttareṇa tvatharvaṇau //

Translation

The two Ṛgvedic priests (Bahvṛcas) should be stationed on the eastern side; on the southern side, the two experts of the Yajurveda; on the western side, the two Sāmavedins; and likewise, on the northern side, the two Atharvavedins.

Word by Word

• bahvṛcau: two Ṛgveda-reciting priests (Bahvṛcas)

• pūrvataḥ: in the east/eastern side

• sthāpyau: should be placed/installed

• dakṣiṇena: in the south/southern side

• yajur-vidau: two knowers of the Yajurveda

• sāma-gau: two Sāmaveda chanters/reciters

• paścime: in the west/western side

• tadvat: likewise/in the same manner

• uttareṇa: in the north/northern side

• tu: and/indeed

• atharvaṇau: two Atharvaveda specialists

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Vastu/ritual injunctions)

Entities Mentioned

• Rigveda (Bahvṛca)
• Yajurveda
• Samaveda
• Atharvaveda

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Ritual Layout
• Vedic Priests
• Directional Placement
• Temple Procedure

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it gives a procedural rule for arranging Vedic specialists by cardinal directions in a ritual or temple setting.

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

It guides a patron (king or householder) in correctly organizing officiants for rites—ensuring orthodox performance, auspicious order, and proper delegation to experts of each Veda.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It prescribes a directional seating/placement plan: Ṛgveda to the east, Yajurveda to the south, Sāmaveda to the west, and Atharvaveda to the north—useful for mandapa, vedi, or temple-ritual arrangements.