Shloka 44

Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds

Devanagari script

पात्रीमादाय सौवर्णीं पञ्चरत्नसमन्विताम् ततो निक्षिप्य मकरमत्स्यादींश्चैव सर्वशः धृतां चतुर्विधैर् विप्रैर् वेदवेदाङ्गपारगैः //

Transliteration

pātrīmādāya sauvarṇīṃ pañcaratnasamanvitām tato nikṣipya makaramatsyādīṃścaiva sarvaśaḥ dhṛtāṃ caturvidhair viprair vedavedāṅgapāragaiḥ //

Translation

Taking a golden vessel furnished with the five precious gems, one should then place within it, on all sides, figures such as the makara and the fish and the like; and it is to be borne by Brahmins of the fourfold classification, fully versed in the Vedas and the Vedāṅgas.

Word by Word

• पात्रीम् (pātrīm): a vessel/bowl

• आदाय (ādāya): having taken

• सौवर्णीम् (sauvarṇīm): made of gold

• पञ्चरत्नसमन्विताम् (pañcaratna-samanvitām): endowed with five gems (pañcaratna)

• ततः (tataḥ): then

• निक्षिप्य (nikṣipya): having placed/inserted

• मकर (makara): makara (mythic crocodile/sea-creature motif)

• मत्स्य (matsya): fish

• आदीन् (ādīn): and others, etc.

• च एव (caiva): and indeed

• सर्वशः (sarvaśaḥ): on all sides/entirely

• धृताम् (dhṛtām): carried/borne

• चतुर्विधैः (caturvidhaiḥ): by four kinds/fourfold

• विप्रैः (vipraiḥ): Brahmins

• वेदवेदाङ्गपारगैः (veda-vedāṅga-pāragaiḥ): those who have mastered the Vedas and the Vedāṅgas.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Makara
• Matsya
• Vipras (Brahmins)
• Vedas
• Vedangas
• Pañcaratna (five gems)

Tags

• Ritual
• Pratishtha
• Temple
• Iconography
• VastuShastra

FAQs

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

It does not describe pralaya directly; instead, it preserves sacred order through consecration protocol—using a gem-filled golden vessel and auspicious aquatic emblems (makara, fish), motifs often linked to cosmic waters and protection.

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

It implies a patron’s duty to fund and conduct rites properly—providing pure materials (gold, gems) and appointing qualified Vedic Brahmins—so public worship and temple establishments are performed according to śāstra.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It points to a pratiṣṭhā/nyāsa-style ritual step: preparing a consecration vessel (pātrī) with pañcaratna and auspicious makara–matsya emblems, then ceremonially carrying it by learned officiants—typical of Matsya Purana temple-ritual procedure.