Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Rites for Consecrating and Celebrating Trees

Devanagari script

ऋत्विङ्मण्डपसम्भारश् चाचार्यश्चैव तद्विधः पूजयेद्ब्राह्मणांस्तद्वद् धेमवस्त्रानुलेपनैः //

Transliteration

ṛtviṅmaṇḍapasambhāraś cācāryaścaiva tadvidhaḥ pūjayedbrāhmaṇāṃstadvad dhemavastrānulepanaiḥ //

Translation

The officiating priest (ṛtvij), together with the preparations for the ritual pavilion, and likewise the qualified ācārya in accordance with that rule, should honour the brāhmaṇas in the same manner—by gifts of gold, garments, and unguents for anointing.

Word by Word

• ṛtvik: officiating priest

• maṇḍapa: ritual pavilion

• sambhāraḥ: preparations/material requisites

• ca: and

• ācāryaḥ: preceptor/ritual teacher

• ca eva: and indeed/also

• tad-vidhaḥ: one skilled/qualified in that (rite)

• pūjayet: should honour/worship

• brāhmaṇān: brāhmaṇas

• tadvat: in the same way/likewise

• hema: gold

• vastra: garments/cloth

• anulepanaiḥ: with unguents/anointing substances (e.g., sandal paste), by means of anointing

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a dharma/ritual teaching sequence)

Entities Mentioned

• Brāhmaṇas
• Ṛtvik
• Ācārya
• Maṇḍapa

Tags

• Dharma
• Yajña
• Ritual procedure
• Dāna
• Brāhmaṇa-honour

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on dharma in ritual life—specifically, proper honouring of brāhmaṇas and ritual specialists through appropriate gifts.

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

It frames a core duty of patrons (kings or householders): supporting and respectfully honouring qualified priests and teachers during sacrifices by giving dakṣiṇā such as gold, clothing, and auspicious unguents.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It highlights the maṇḍapa (ritual pavilion) and its sambhāras (requisites), indicating that correct pavilion preparation and proper priestly honour are integral parts of yajña performance.