Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — Rite and Merits of the Sesame-Mountain

Devanagari script

पूर्ववच्चापरान्सर्वान् विष्कम्भानभितो गिरीन् दानमन्त्रान् प्रवक्ष्यामि यथावन्मुनिपुंगव //

Transliteration

pūrvavaccāparānsarvān viṣkambhānabhito girīn dānamantrān pravakṣyāmi yathāvanmunipuṃgava //

Translation

And, just as before, I shall now properly declare the gift-mantras for all the other supporting pillars (viṣkambhas) and for the mountains surrounding them, O foremost of sages.

Word by Word

• पूर्ववत् (pūrvavat): as before

• च (ca): and

• अपरान् (aparān): the other, remaining

• सर्वान् (sarvān): all

• विष्कम्भान् (viṣkambhān): supports, pillars, prop-posts (ritual/architectural)

• अभितः (abhitaḥ): around, surrounding

• गिरीन् (girīn): mountains, hills

• दानमन्त्रान् (dāna-mantrān): mantras to be recited at the time of gifting/donation

• प्रवक्ष्यामि (pravakṣyāmi): I will declare, expound

• यथावत् (yathāvat): duly, in correct order and manner

• मुनिपुंगव (muni-puṅgava): O best of sages.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (likely, within the standard Matsya Purana dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Muni (addressed as muni-puṅgava)
• Viṣkambha (support/pillar)
• Giri (mountain)

Tags

• Dāna
• Mantra
• Vastu Shastra
• Ritual Procedure
• Sacred Geography

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it signals a structured transmission of ritual knowledge—specifically, the correct mantras for gifting items like supports/pillars and related sacred features.

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

It frames dāna (charitable gifting) as a regulated dharmic act: a king or householder should perform donations with proper mantras and procedure (yathāvat), not merely as material giving but as a sanctioned rite.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse points to viṣkambhas (supports/pillars) and surrounding ‘mountains’ as items/categories for which specific dāna-mantras exist—suggesting a Vastu/ritual context where architectural supports and sacred-geographic elements are ritually conceptualized and gifted with prescribed recitations.