Shloka 21

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

Devanagari script

पञ्चमं च पुनर्मध्ये दध्यक्षतविभूषितम् स्थापयेदव्रणं कुम्भं सप्तर्चेनाभिमन्त्रितम् //

Transliteration

pañcamaṃ ca punarmadhye dadhyakṣatavibhūṣitam sthāpayedavraṇaṃ kumbhaṃ saptarcenābhimantritam //

Translation

And then, in the middle, one should place the fifth vessel, adorned with curd and unbroken grains of rice; one should set there a flawless (undamaged) water-pot (kumbha), consecrated by the seven-verse hymn (Saptarcā).

Word by Word

• pañcamam: the fifth (one)

• ca: and

• punaḥ: again/then

• madhye: in the middle/at the center

• dadhy-akṣata-vibhūṣitam: decorated with curd (dadhi) and unbroken rice grains (akṣata)

• sthāpayet: one should place/establish

• avraṇam: uninjured, without blemish/defect

• kumbham: a pot, ritual water-vessel (kumbha)

• saptarcenā: by the Saptarcā (seven-verse formula/hymn)

• abhimantritam: consecrated/invoked by mantra

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s ritual instructions, ultimately rooted in the Matsya–Manu teaching stream)

Entities Mentioned

• Kumbha
• Akṣata
• Dadhi
• Saptarcā (seven-verse mantra/hymn)

Tags

• Puja Vidhi
• Kumbha Sthapana
• Abhisheka
• Mantra
• Vastu Shastra

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on precise ritual placement and consecration of a kumbha, emphasizing purity and correct procedure rather than cosmology.

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

It reflects the householder/royal duty of performing rites with cleanliness and correctness—using unbroken offerings (akṣata), a blemish-free vessel, and proper mantras—supporting dharma through disciplined worship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes central placement (madhye) of a flawless kumbha, decorated with dadhi and akṣata and empowered by the Saptarcā—key steps in kumbha-sthāpana and abhiṣeka-oriented worship.