Shloka 30

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

Devanagari script

काञ्चनीं च ततः कुर्यात् ताम्रपात्रोपरिस्थिताम् प्रतिमां धर्मराजस्य गुरवे विनिवेदयेत् //

Transliteration

kāñcanīṃ ca tataḥ kuryāt tāmrapātroparisthitām pratimāṃ dharmarājasya gurave vinivedayet //

Translation

Then one should have a golden image made—placed upon a copper vessel—and formally present that image of Dharmarāja (Yama) to one’s teacher (guru).

Word by Word

• काञ्चनीम् (kāñcanīm): golden (made of gold)

• च (ca): and

• ततः (tataḥ): then/thereafter

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): one should make/commission

• ताम्र-पात्र-उपरि-स्थिताम् (tāmra-pātra-upari-sthitām): placed upon/standing on a copper vessel

• प्रतिमाम् (pratimām): image, icon, statue

• धर्मराजस्य (dharmarājasya): of Dharmarāja (Yama, Lord of Justice)

• गुरवे (gurave): to the guru/teacher

• विनिवेदयेत् (vinivedayet): should offer/present formally.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, as part of the Matsya Purana’s dāna-dharma discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Dharmarāja (Yama)
• Guru

Tags

• Dāna
• Ritual offering
• Pratimā
• Dharma
• Pitr̥/afterlife ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on dāna-dharma—ritual gifting—specifically the prescribed offering of a Dharmarāja image to the guru.

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

It prescribes a meritorious act of giving: commissioning a properly prepared icon and offering it to one’s guru, reflecting the householder/kingly duty to support religious authority and uphold dharma through sanctioned donations.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual detail is technical: the golden pratimā is to be set upon a copper vessel (tāmra-pātra), indicating a prescribed material and placement protocol for icon-donation rites.