Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — The Ārdrānandakarī Tṛtīyā Vrata: Ritual Procedure

Devanagari script

गन्धोदकं पुष्पवारि चन्दनं कुङ्कुमोदकम् अपक्वं दधि दुग्धं च गोशृङ्गोदकमेव च //

Transliteration

gandhodakaṃ puṣpavāri candanaṃ kuṅkumodakam apakvaṃ dadhi dugdhaṃ ca gośṛṅgodakameva ca //

Translation

Scented water, flower-infused water, sandalwood (water or paste), saffron-water (kuṅkuma), uncooked curd, milk, and likewise water kept in (or poured from) a cow’s horn—these are the items to be used.

Word by Word

• गन्धोदकम्: scented/perfumed water

• पुष्पवारि: flower-water (water infused with flowers)

• चन्दनम्: sandalwood (as paste or sandal-water used ritually)

• कुङ्कुमोदकम्: saffron-water/kuṅkuma-infused water

• अपक्वम्: uncooked/unheated (fresh, not boiled)

• दधि: curd/yogurt

• दुग्धम्: milk

• च: and

• गो-शृङ्ग-उदकम्: water in/from a cow’s horn (used as a ritual vessel)

• एव: indeed/also

• च: and

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, ritual/vidhi section)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Cow (go)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Pratishtha
• Abhisheka
• Ritual Purification
• Temple Consecration

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it lists auspicious liquids used for ritual cleansing and consecration, indicating a focus on sacred order (śuddhi) rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It supports the king/householder’s duty to uphold dharma through proper rites—using prescribed pure and auspicious substances in worship, installations, and protective rituals for prosperity and legitimacy.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

These are standard consecration/purification media used in temple or icon rites (sprinkling/abhisheka), aligning with Matsya Purana’s Vastuvidya-oriented procedures for sanctifying spaces and images.