Shloka 97

Matsya Purana — Tārakāsura’s Austerity and Boon; Mobilization for War; Bṛhaspati’s Fourfold P...

Devanagari script

कुम्भेन रत्नचित्रेण केतुर् अश्विनयोर् अभूत् हेममातंगरचितं चित्ररत्नपरिष्कृतम् //

Transliteration

kumbhena ratnacitreṇa ketur aśvinayor abhūt hemamātaṃgaracitaṃ citraratnapariṣkṛtam //

Translation

For the Aśvinī, the twin horsemen, the emblem (ketu) was a jewel-adorned pot (kumbha), fashioned with golden-elephant workmanship and refined with variegated gems.

Word by Word

• कुम्भेन (kumbhena): by/with a pot

• रत्नचित्रेण (ratnacitreṇa): made variegated with jewels, jewel-ornamented

• केतुः (ketuḥ): emblem, banner-mark, identifying symbol

• अश्विनयोः (aśvinayoḥ): of the two Aśvins (the twin deities)

• अभूत् (abhūt): became, is stated to be

• हेम (hema): gold, golden

• मातङ्ग (mātaṅga): elephant

• रचितम् (racitam): fashioned, constructed, crafted

• चित्ररत्न (citraratna): multicolored/varied gems

• परिष्कृतम् (pariṣkṛtam): well-finished, refined, ornamentally perfected

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within iconographic/ritual instruction)

Entities Mentioned

• Aśvins
• Kumbha
• Ketu

Tags

• Iconography
• Ritual Symbols
• Vastu Shastra
• Temple Ornamentation
• Sacred Emblems

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on iconographic/ritual detailing—specifically the prescribed emblem (ketu) associated with the Aśvins.

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

It supports dharmic duty indirectly: kings and householders who sponsor rites or temples are instructed to follow correct traditional specifications for sacred emblems and ornamentation to ensure ritual propriety and auspiciousness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies an auspicious emblem: a jewel-adorned kumbha as the Aśvins’ identifying mark, emphasizing prescribed materials (gold-work, gem inlay) used in temple/ritual objects and decorative standards.