Shloka 49

Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds

Devanagari script

कृत्वा तु यज्ञपात्राणि यज्ञोपकरणानि च ऋत्विग्भ्यस्तु समं दत्त्वा मण्डपं विभजेत्पुनः हेमपात्रीं च शय्यां च स्थापकाय निवेदयेत् //

Transliteration

kṛtvā tu yajñapātrāṇi yajñopakaraṇāni ca ṛtvigbhyastu samaṃ dattvā maṇḍapaṃ vibhajetpunaḥ hemapātrīṃ ca śayyāṃ ca sthāpakāya nivedayet //

Translation

Having prepared the sacrificial vessels and the other requisites of the sacrifice, one should distribute them equally to the officiating priests; thereafter, one should again apportion the ritual pavilion (maṇḍapa). A golden vessel and a bed should be presented to the installer/architect (sthāpaka).

Word by Word

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having made/prepared

• तु (tu): indeed/then

• यज्ञपात्राणि (yajñapātrāṇi): sacrificial vessels

• यज्ञोपकरणानि (yajñopakaraṇāni): implements/requisites for the sacrifice

• च (ca): and

• ऋत्विग्भ्यः (ṛtvigbhyaḥ): to the officiating priests

• समम् (samam): equally

• दत्त्वा (dattvā): having given

• मण्डपम् (maṇḍapam): the ritual pavilion/mandapa

• विभजेत् (vibhajet): should divide/apportion

• पुनः (punaḥ): again/thereafter

• हेमपात्रीम् (hemapātrīm): a golden vessel/bowl

• च (ca): and

• शय्याम् (śayyām): a bed/couch

• च (ca): and

• स्थापकाय (sthāpakāya): to the sthāpaka (installer/architect/ritual builder who establishes the structure/icon)

• निवेदयेत् (nivedayet): should offer/present.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu the correct procedures for ritual/installation and associated gifts)

Entities Mentioned

• Rtvij (officiating priests)
• Sthapaka (installer/architect)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Yajna
• Mandapa
• Dakshina
• Pratishtha

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on ritual protocol—preparing yajña materials, distributing them to priests, and honoring the sthāpaka with specific gifts.

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

It frames dharmic responsibility in public/household rites: one must properly equip the sacrifice, compensate priests fairly (equal distribution), and honor skilled specialists like the sthāpaka—an ethical guideline for patrons and rulers funding rituals or construction.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It links Vastu/installation work with yajña procedure: the maṇḍapa is to be formally apportioned, and the sthāpaka (architect/installer) receives a defined honorarium (a golden vessel and a bed), indicating the recognized ritual-architectural role in consecration.