Shloka 53

Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds

Devanagari script

प्रावृट्काले स्थिते तोये ह्य् अग्निष्टोमफलं स्मृतम् शरत्काले स्थितं यत्स्यात् तदुक्तफलदायकम् वाजपेयातिरात्राभ्यां हेमन्ते शिशिरे स्थितम् //

Transliteration

prāvṛṭkāle sthite toye hy agniṣṭomaphalaṃ smṛtam śaratkāle sthitaṃ yatsyāt taduktaphaladāyakam vājapeyātirātrābhyāṃ hemante śiśire sthitam //

Translation

Standing in water during the rainy season (prāvṛṭ) is said to yield the fruit of the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice. If done in autumn (śarat), it grants the fruit previously stated. And when performed in hemanta and śiśira (early and late winter), it yields the merit of the Vājapeya and Atirātra sacrifices.

Word by Word

• prāvṛṭ-kāle: in the rainy season

• sthite: when standing/remaining

• toye: in water

• hi: indeed

• agniṣṭoma-phalam: the fruit/merit of the Agniṣṭoma sacrifice

• smṛtam: is remembered/declared

• śarat-kāle: in the autumn season

• sthitam: when performed/when one remains (thus)

• yat: whatever/that which

• syāt: may be/is

• tad-ukta-phala-dāyakam: bestowing the fruit that was stated (earlier)

• vājapeya-atirātrābhyām: of (the sacrifices) Vājapeya and Atirātra

• hemante: in hemanta (early winter)

• śiśire: in śiśira (late winter)

• sthitam: when performed/when one remains (thus).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Agniṣṭoma
• Vājapeya
• Atirātra
• Prāvṛṭ
• Śarat
• Hemanta
• Śiśira

Tags

• Vrata
• Ritual Merit
• Seasonal Dharma
• Yajna-Phala
• Tapas

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it teaches ritual discipline (tapas) whose merit is equated with major Vedic sacrifices depending on the season.

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

It offers a practicable austerity—standing in water seasonally—by which householders (and kings) can gain the merit of costly śrauta yajñas, aligning personal discipline with dharma when full-scale sacrifices are difficult.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual, not architectural: a seasonal water-austerity is presented as a substitute/parallel for Agniṣṭoma, Vājapeya, and Atirātra, emphasizing correct timing (ṛtu) as a key factor in religious efficacy.