Shloka 9

Matsya Purana — Rites for Consecrating and Celebrating Trees

Devanagari script

कुम्भान्सर्वेषु वृक्षेषु स्थापयित्वा नरेश्वर सहिरण्यानशेषांस्तान् कृत्वा बलिनिवेदनम् //

Transliteration

kumbhānsarveṣu vṛkṣeṣu sthāpayitvā nareśvara sahiraṇyānaśeṣāṃstān kṛtvā balinivedanam //

Translation

O king, having set up ritual jars (kumbhas) at all the trees and having furnished each of them with gold, one should then make the complete offering of bali (propitiatory oblations).

Word by Word

• कुम्भान् (kumbhān): ritual jars, sacred pots

• सर्वेषु (sarveṣu): on all, in all

• वृक्षेषु (vṛkṣeṣu): trees

• स्थापयित्वा (sthāpayitvā): having installed/placed

• नरेश्वर (nareśvara): O lord of men, O king

• सहिरण्यान् (sahiraṇyān): together with gold, accompanied by gold

• अशेषान् (aśeṣān): without remainder, all of them

• तान् (tān): those (jars/arrangements)

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having done, having prepared

• बलिनिवेदनम् (balinivedanam): the offering/presentation of bali (propitiatory oblations).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu / a kingly addressee

Entities Mentioned

• King (Nareśvara)
• Kumbha (ritual jar)
• Trees (Vṛkṣa)
• Bali (offering)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Rituals
• Bali
• Kumbha
• Auspicious rites

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on ritual procedure—installing kumbhas and performing bali offerings for auspiciousness and propitiation.

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

It frames ritual responsibility as part of rājadharma/gṛhya duty: a ruler (or patron) is to sponsor complete rites—installing sacred jars and providing dakṣiṇā-like valuables (gold) before making bali offerings.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes kumbha-sthāpana (placing consecrated jars) at trees and performing bali-nivedana—an act of sanctifying space and appeasing local/guardian forces as part of a larger ceremonial observance.