Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — Rites for Consecrating and Celebrating Trees

Devanagari script

फलानि सप्त चाष्टौ वा कालधौतानि कारयेत् प्रत्येकं सर्ववृक्षाणां वेद्यां तान्यधिवासयेत् //

Transliteration

phalāni sapta cāṣṭau vā kāladhautāni kārayet pratyekaṃ sarvavṛkṣāṇāṃ vedyāṃ tānyadhivāsayet //

Translation

One should arrange seven or eight fruits, cleansed and mellowed by time; and, for each sacred tree, place those fruits upon the vedī (altar) for the rite of adhivāsa.

Word by Word

• फलानि (phalāni): fruits

• सप्त (sapta): seven

• च (ca): and

• अष्टौ (aṣṭau): eight

• वा (vā): or

• कालधौतानि (kāla-dhautāni): washed/cleansed by time, naturally ripened

• कारयेत् (kārayet): should have prepared/should arrange

• प्रत्येकं (pratyekaṃ): individually, for each

• सर्ववृक्षाणां (sarva-vṛkṣāṇām): of all (specified) trees

• वेद्यां (vedyām): on the altar/raised platform

• तानि (tāni): those (fruits)

• अधिवासयेत् (adhivāsayet): should place for adhivāsa/should ceremonially station (as part of consecration).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Vedi (altar)
• Adhivasa (consecration rite)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Ritual Procedure
• Adhivasa
• Consecration
• Offerings

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on ritual preparation (adhivāsa) by placing properly matured fruits on the altar as part of consecratory procedures.

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

It reflects the duty to perform rites with correctness and auspicious materials—using mature, clean offerings and following prescribed steps—whether one is sponsoring a temple rite as a king or conducting sanctioned domestic/ritual observances as a householder.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes the adhivāsa placement of offerings on the vedī; architecturally, it implies a prepared altar-platform within the ritual space where consecration items are stationed before the main installation or worship.