Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — The Ravi-Śayana

Devanagari script

कृत्वा तु काञ्चनं पद्मम् अष्टपत्त्रं सकर्णिकम् शुद्धमष्टाङ्गुलं तच्च पद्मरागदलान्वितम् //

Transliteration

kṛtvā tu kāñcanaṃ padmam aṣṭapattraṃ sakarṇikam śuddhamaṣṭāṅgulaṃ tacca padmarāgadalānvitam //

Translation

One should fashion a golden lotus with eight petals and a central pericarp; it should be pure, eight aṅgulas in measure, and furnished with petals set with padmarāga (ruby).

Word by Word

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having made/fashioned

• तु (tu): then/indeed

• काञ्चनम् (kāñcanam): of gold/golden

• पद्मम् (padmam): lotus

• अष्टपत्त्रम् (aṣṭa-pattram): eight-petalled

• सकर्णिकम् (sa-karṇikam): with a pericarp/central seed-cup

• शुद्धम् (śuddham): pure/unsullied

• अष्टाङ्गुलम् (aṣṭāṅgulam): eight aṅgulas in size

• तत् च (tacca): and that

• पद्मराग (padmarāga): ruby (padmarāga gem)

• दल (dala): petal

• अन्वितम् (anvitam): endowed with/furnished with.

Speaker

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

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu
• Padma (lotus)
• Padmaraga (ruby)

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Iconography
• Ritual
• Temple Offerings
• Pratima-Lakshana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it gives a precise ritual-technical instruction for crafting a sacred golden lotus, emphasizing purity, measurement, and gem-set petals.

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

It reflects the dharmic duty to perform rites correctly—using prescribed materials, purity standards, and exact measurements—principles applicable to household worship and royal-sponsored temple rituals.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies a standard sacred implement/offerable: an eight-petalled golden lotus with a central pericarp, sized to eight aṅgulas and adorned with padmarāga—showing the Matsya Purana’s concern for exact ritual design and measurement.