Shloka 46

Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds

Devanagari script

अथर्वणेन संस्नातां पुनर्मामेत्यथेति च आपो हि ष्ठेति मन्त्रेण क्षिप्त्वागत्य च मण्डपम् //

Transliteration

atharvaṇena saṃsnātāṃ punarmāmetyatheti ca āpo hi ṣṭheti mantreṇa kṣiptvāgatya ca maṇḍapam //

Translation

Having bathed with Atharva mantras, and again uttering the formula “Return to me,” he should sprinkle the consecrated water with the mantra “Āpo hi ṣṭhā…,” and then proceed to the maṇḍapa (ritual pavilion).

Word by Word

• अथर्वणेन: with Atharva (Atharvavedic) mantras

• संस्नाताम्: having bathed/fully purified by bathing

• पुनः: again

• माम्: to me (lit. ‘me’)

• एति: comes/returns

• अथ इति च: thus (with the particle ‘iti’), also

• आपः: waters

• हि: indeed

• ष्ठे (ष्ठा): stand/abide (in the Vedic refrain ‘āpo hi ṣṭhā’)

• इति मन्त्रेण: with the mantra (so beginning)

• क्षिप्त्वा: having cast/sprinkled (water)

• आगत्य: having come/approached

• च: and

• मण्डपम्: the maṇḍapa, ritual pavilion

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, ritual/vidhi style narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Atharva (Atharvaveda)
• Āpo hi ṣṭhā (Vedic water-mantra)
• Maṇḍapa

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Ritual
• Mantra
• Purification
• Maṇḍapa

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on ritual purification—bathing, mantra-recitation, and sprinkling water—before entering the maṇḍapa.

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

It frames dharma as disciplined procedure: a king or householder should approach sacred rites only after bodily and mantra-based purification, following established Vedic formulas.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies maṇḍapa-praveśa (approach/entry) protocol: after Atharvavedic bathing rites, one performs water-sprinkling (prokṣaṇa) with the ‘Āpo hi ṣṭhā’ mantra and then enters the ritual pavilion.