Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — Saptamī Sacred Bath and the Mṛtavatsābhiṣeka Rite for Pacifying Misfortune an...

Devanagari script

होतव्याः समिधश्चात्र तथैवार्कपलाशयोः यवकृष्णतिलैर्होमः कर्तव्यो ऽष्टशतं पुनः //

Transliteration

hotavyāḥ samidhaścātra tathaivārkapalāśayoḥ yavakṛṣṇatilairhomaḥ kartavyo 'ṣṭaśataṃ punaḥ //

Translation

Here, fuel-sticks (samidh) are to be offered into the fire—likewise those of the arka and palāśa trees; and a homa with barley and black sesame should again be performed eight hundred times.

Word by Word

• होतव्याः (hotavyāḥ): are to be offered (into the fire)

• समिधः (samidhaḥ): fuel-sticks, kindling

• च (ca): and

• अत्र (atra): here, in this rite

• तथा एव (tathā eva): likewise, in the same manner

• अर्क (arka): arka plant/tree (Calotropis)

• पलाशयोः (palāśayoḥ): of palāśa (Butea monosperma) (sticks/leaves)

• यव (yava): barley

• कृष्णतिलैः (kṛṣṇa-tilaiḥ): with black sesame seeds

• होमः (homaḥ): fire-oblation, offering into fire

• कर्तव्यः (kartavyaḥ): should be performed

• अष्टशतम् (aṣṭaśatam): eight hundred (times/offerings)

• पुनः (punaḥ): again, thereafter

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within ritual guidance context)

Entities Mentioned

• Arka
• Palāśa
• Homa
• Agni

Tags

• Homa
• Ritual Procedure
• Dharma
• Vedic Offerings
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it gives a precise ritual prescription for homa materials (arka/palāśa kindling) and the count of offerings (eight hundred).

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

It reflects dharmic duty through correct performance of prescribed rites: selecting sanctioned samidh (fuel-sticks) and completing the stated number of oblations—typical of householder (gṛhastha) observance and royal patronage of ritual order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies approved homa fuels (arka and palāśa) and offerings (barley and black sesame) with a fixed count (aṣṭaśata), emphasizing procedural exactness in Matsya Purana fire-sacrifice practice.