Shloka 30

Matsya Purana — The Greatness and Procedure of the Aṅgāra

Devanagari script

अभ्यर्च्याभिलिखेत्पद्मं कुङ्कुमेनाष्टपत्त्रकम् कुङ्कुमस्याप्यभावे तु रक्तचन्दनमिष्यते //

Transliteration

abhyarcyābhilikhetpadmaṃ kuṅkumenāṣṭapattrakam kuṅkumasyāpyabhāve tu raktacandanamiṣyate //

Translation

After performing worship, one should draw an eight-petalled lotus with kuṅkuma (saffron). If kuṅkuma is unavailable, red sandalwood paste is prescribed instead.

Word by Word

• अभ्यर्च्य (abhyarcya): having worshipped, after offering reverence

• अभिलिखेत् (abhilikhēt): should draw/inscribe

• पद्मम् (padmam): lotus (ritual lotus-diagram)

• कुङ्कुमेन (kuṅkumena): with saffron/vermillion (kuṅkuma)

• अष्टपत्त्रकम् (aṣṭapattrakam): having eight petals, eight-petalled

• कुङ्कुमस्य (kuṅkumasya): of saffron/kuṅkuma

• अपि (api): even/also

• अभावे (abhāve): in the absence, when unavailable

• तु (tu): but/indeed

• रक्तचन्दनम् (raktacandanam): red sandalwood (paste/powder)

• इष्यते (iṣyate): is approved, is considered proper/prescribed.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a ritual/vidhi teaching context)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Padma (lotus diagram)
• Kuṅkuma
• Raktacandana (red sandalwood)

Tags

• Puja Vidhi
• Yantra/Diagram
• Padma Mandala
• Ritual Substances
• Matsya Purana Vastu Shastra tips

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it gives a practical ritual instruction for drawing a sacred lotus diagram with prescribed auspicious substances.

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

It reflects the householder/royal duty of performing orderly worship (pūjā-vidhi): preparing a clean, auspicious ritual space and following authorized substitutions when ideal materials are unavailable.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies a padma-maṇḍala (eight-petalled lotus) to be drawn as part of worship, and it codifies material standards—kuṅkuma is preferred, with red sandalwood accepted as a valid substitute.