Shloka 25

Matsya Purana — The Observance of Ananta-Tritiya

Devanagari script

गोमूत्रं गोमयं क्षीरं दधि सर्पिः कुशोदकम् बिल्वपत्त्रार्कपुष्पं च यवान्गोशृङ्गवारि च //

Transliteration

gomūtraṃ gomayaṃ kṣīraṃ dadhi sarpiḥ kuśodakam bilvapattrārkapuṣpaṃ ca yavāngośṛṅgavāri ca //

Translation

Cow’s urine, cow-dung, milk, curd (dadhi), and ghee; water sanctified with kuśa grass; bilva leaves and arka flowers; barley; and water poured (or kept) in a cow-horn—these are the purificatory substances to be used in the rite.

Word by Word

• gomūtram: cow’s urine

• gomayam: cow-dung

• kṣīram: milk

• dadhi: curd/yogurt

• sarpiḥ: ghee/clarified butter

• kuśa-udakam: water infused with kuśa grass (ritually purifying water)

• bilva-pattram: bilva leaves (Aegle marmelos)

• arka-puṣpam: arka flowers (Calotropis)

• ca: and

• yavān: barley grains

• go-śṛṅga-vāri: water in/through a cow-horn (used for sprinkling/ritual purification).

Speaker

• Sūta (narratorial voice transmitting the Matsya Purāṇa’s ritual instructions; traditionally the teaching is framed as Matsya’s instruction to Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Kuśa grass
• Bilva (Aegle marmelos)
• Arka (Calotropis)
• Cow (go)
• Barley (yava)

Tags

• Purification
• Pañcagavya
• Ritual items
• Prāyaścitta
• Ācāra

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it belongs to ritual-ācāra material and lists purifying substances used in ceremonies and expiations.

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

It supports the householder’s and ruler’s duty to maintain ritual purity in domestic rites, public ceremonies, and prāyaścitta—using pañcagavya-related items, kuśa-water, and other sanctioned materials.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies standard purification media (pañcagavya set plus kuśodaka, bilva/arka, yava, and gośṛṅga-vāri) commonly used for sprinkling, cleansing, and sanctifying before worship, consecrations, or expiatory acts.