Shloka 36

Matsya Purana — The Cave-Sanctuary: Jewel-Lake

Devanagari script

अज्ञातवस्तुचरितं प्रतिष्ठितम् अथात्रिणा सिद्धानुपूज्यं सततं संतानकुसुमार्चितम् //

Transliteration

ajñātavastucaritaṃ pratiṣṭhitam athātriṇā siddhānupūjyaṃ satataṃ saṃtānakusumārcitam //

Translation

Then Atri installed that sacred form, whose deeds and true nature are beyond ordinary knowing; it is ever worshipped by the Siddhas, and is honored with offerings of saṃtānaka flowers.

Word by Word

• ajñāta: unknown/beyond common knowing

• vastu: reality/true nature (also ‘sacred object’ by implication)

• caritam: deeds/acts/legend

• ajñātavastu-caritam: whose true nature and deeds are not (fully) knowable

• pratiṣṭhitam: established/installed (in consecration)

• atha: then/thereupon

• atriṇā: by Atri (the sage Atri)

• siddha-anupūjyam: continuously worshipped/served by the Siddhas

• satatam: always/constantly

• saṃtānaka-kusuma: saṃtānaka flowers (a named flower used in pūjā)

• arcitam: worshipped/honored/adored (with offerings)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in dialogue with Vaivasvata Manu), describing an installation tradition associated with Sage Atri

Entities Mentioned

• Atri
• Siddhas

Tags

• Pratishtha
• Iconography
• Temple Ritual
• Puja
• Vastu Shastra

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on pratiṣṭhā (consecratory installation) and ongoing worship, indicating continuity of sacred ritual tradition rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It supports the dharmic duty of maintaining established worship—honoring consecrated images with regular pūjā and proper offerings—an obligation relevant to householders and rulers who patronize temples and public rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights pratiṣṭhā (formal installation) and continuous worship (satatam), including prescribed floral offerings (saṃtānaka-kusuma), aligning with Matsya Purana’s Vastu/temple-practice emphasis on correct consecration and pūjā materials.