Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — Ritual Procedure and Merit of Donating the Ratnācala

Devanagari script

पूर्वेण वज्रगोमेदैर् दक्षिणेनेन्द्रनीलकैः पद्मरागयुतः कार्यो विद्वद्भिर्गन्धमादनः //

Transliteration

pūrveṇa vajragomedair dakṣiṇenendranīlakaiḥ padmarāgayutaḥ kāryo vidvadbhirgandhamādanaḥ //

Translation

The wise should fashion (or delineate) Gandhamādana so that on its eastern side are diamond and gomeda gems, on its southern side Indranīla (blue sapphire), and it is furnished with padmarāga (ruby).

Word by Word

• पूर्वेण: on the eastern side

• वज्र: diamond

• गोमेदैः: with gomeda (hessonite/garnet)

• दक्षिणेन: on the southern side

• इन्द्रनीलकैः: with indranīla (blue sapphire)

• पद्मराग-युतः: endowed with padmarāga (ruby)

• कार्यः: should be made/arranged

• विद्वद्भिः: by the learned/wise

• गन्धमादनः: Gandhamādana (the sacred mountain/region).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice) reporting the Matsya Purāṇa’s prescription (Vāstu-style directional arrangement)

Entities Mentioned

• Gandhamādana
• Vajra (diamond)
• Gomeda
• Indranīla
• Padmarāga

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Sacred Geography
• Directional Rules
• Gemology
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it gives a Vāstu-like directional prescription for Gandhamādana, emphasizing auspicious materials rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It reflects the broader Purāṇic ideal that rulers and householders should commission sacred spaces correctly—using learned experts and auspicious directional arrangements to support prosperity, legitimacy, and ritual order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It encodes a directional-material rule: specific gemstones are assigned to specific directions (east and south), a hallmark of Vāstu/ritual design where orientation and substances are chosen to enhance auspiciousness.