Shloka 28

Matsya Purana — Śrāddha Procedure: Types

Devanagari script

गोमयेनोपलिप्तायां गोमूत्रेण तु मण्डलम् अक्षताभिः सपुष्पाभिस् तदभ्यर्च्यापसव्यवत् //

Transliteration

gomayenopaliptāyāṃ gomūtreṇa tu maṇḍalam akṣatābhiḥ sapuṣpābhis tadabhyarcyāpasavyavat //

Translation

After smearing the ritual ground with cow-dung, one should delineate the maṇḍala with cow-urine; then one should worship that maṇḍala with unbroken rice grains (akṣata) and with flowers, performing the rite in the prescribed apasavya manner.

Word by Word

• gomayena: with cow-dung

• upaliptāyām: when (the ground) has been plastered/smeared

• gomūtreṇa: with cow-urine

• tu: then/indeed

• maṇḍalam: the ritual diagram/circle (sacred ground plan)

• akṣatābhiḥ: with unbroken rice-grains (akṣata)

• sa-puṣpābhiḥ: together with flowers

• tat: that (maṇḍala)

• abhyarcya: having duly worshipped

• apasavyavat: in the apasavya mode (a prescribed ritual orientation/manner, often counter-clockwise or with the sacred thread positioned to the right depending on rite).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a procedural teaching section)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Maṇḍala
• Akṣata

Tags

• Vastu
• Ritual
• Maṇḍala
• Purification
• Temple-rite

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on ritual purification and the correct preparation of a sacred maṇḍala used in consecratory or Vastu-related rites.

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

It reflects the duty to begin sacred works—such as temple-building, installation, or major household rites—only after purifying the site and performing proper worship, aligning action with dharma and ritual order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It prescribes a standard Vastu/ritual protocol: purify the ground (cow-dung), demarcate the maṇḍala (cow-urine), and worship it with akṣata and flowers, indicating formal sanctification of the site before further rites.