Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — Rites for Consecrating and Celebrating Trees

Devanagari script

सूच्या सौवर्णया कार्यं सर्वेषां कर्णवेधनम् अञ्जनं चापि दातव्यं तद्वद्धेमशलाकया //

Transliteration

sūcyā sauvarṇayā kāryaṃ sarveṣāṃ karṇavedhanam añjanaṃ cāpi dātavyaṃ tadvaddhemaśalākayā //

Translation

The ear-piercing for all should be performed with a golden needle; and anjana (collyrium) should likewise be applied with a golden probe (rod).

Word by Word

• सूच्या (sūcyā): with a needle

• सौवर्णया (sauvarṇayā): made of gold

• कार्यम् (kāryam): should be done/ought to be performed

• सर्वेषाम् (sarveṣām): of all (persons/children)

• कर्णवेधनम् (karṇavedhanam): ear-piercing (the karṇavedha saṃskāra)

• अञ्जनम् (añjanam): collyrium/medicinal eyeliner

• च (ca): and

• अपि (api): also

• दातव्यम् (dātavyam): should be given/applied

• तद्वत् (tadvat): in the same manner/likewise

• हेम-शलाकया (hema-śalākayā): with a golden probe/rod

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Karṇavedha
• Anjana

Tags

• Dharma
• Samskara
• Ritual procedure
• Health and purity
• Matsya Purana rites

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on samskāra-style ritual hygiene and auspicious procedure (using gold implements) for ear-piercing and applying anjana.

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

It guides householders (and by extension a king responsible for social order) to ensure rites of passage are performed properly, emphasizing auspicious, pure materials—gold—when carrying out bodily rites like karṇavedha and anjana.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes the correct instruments: a golden needle for karṇavedha and a golden applicator for anjana—highlighting purity, auspiciousness, and careful technique in samskāras.