Shloka 48

Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds

Devanagari script

चतुर्थीकर्म कर्तव्यं देया तत्रापि शक्तितः दक्षिणा राजशार्दूल वरुणक्ष्मापणं ततः //

Transliteration

caturthīkarma kartavyaṃ deyā tatrāpi śaktitaḥ dakṣiṇā rājaśārdūla varuṇakṣmāpaṇaṃ tataḥ //

Translation

The rite of the fourth day (caturthī-karman) should be performed; and there too, O tiger among kings, a priestly fee (dakṣiṇā) should be given according to one’s capacity. Thereafter, the expiation/appeasement of Varuṇa is to be undertaken.

Word by Word

• चतुर्थी-कर्म (caturthī-karma): fourth-day rite/observance

• कर्तव्यम् (kartavyam): should be done, is obligatory

• देया (deyā): should be given

• तत्रापि (tatrāpi): there also, in that context as well

• शक्तितः (śaktitaḥ): according to ability/means

• दक्षिणा (dakṣiṇā): honorarium/fee to the officiant, sacrificial gift

• राज-शार्दूल (rājaśārdūla): tiger among kings (royal address)

• वरुण (varuṇa): the deity Varuṇa (lord of waters, moral order)

• क्ष्मापणम् (kṣmāpaṇam): appeasement, propitiation, expiation/atonement

• ततः (tataḥ): thereafter, then

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu / addressing the King as 'rājaśārdūla')

Entities Mentioned

• Varuṇa

Tags

• Dharma
• Prāyaścitta
• Ritual
• Dakṣiṇā
• Varuṇa

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on ritual procedure—performing a prescribed observance, giving dakṣiṇā, and then undertaking Varuṇa-propitiation as an expiatory act.

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

It frames dharma as practical duty: perform the required rite, compensate officiants appropriately, and follow through with expiation (Varuṇa-kṣmāpaṇa) when ritual or moral order requires appeasement—guidance applicable to both rulers and householders.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual, not architectural: it mandates a caturthī-day observance and emphasizes dakṣiṇā (proper remuneration/gifting) followed by Varuṇa appeasement, reflecting Purāṇic standards for completing rites correctly.