Shloka 15

Matsya Purana — The Rite and Glory of Meru-Dāna: The Tenfold ‘Gift of Meru’ and Mountain-Offe...

Devanagari script

ब्रह्माथ विष्णुर्भगवान्पुरारिर् दिवाकरो ऽप्यत्र हिरण्मयः स्यात् मूर्धन्यवस्थानममत्सरेण कार्यं त्वनेकैश्च पुनर्द्विजौघैः //

Transliteration

brahmātha viṣṇurbhagavānpurārir divākaro 'pyatra hiraṇmayaḥ syāt mūrdhanyavasthānamamatsareṇa kāryaṃ tvanekaiśca punardvijaughaiḥ //

Translation

Here, Brahmā, Lord Viṣṇu, Purāri (Śiva), and even the Sun are to be fashioned in gold. Their installation in the foremost honoured position should be done without jealousy, and it is again to be carried out by many groups of twice-born priests.

Word by Word

• brahmā: Brahmā

• atha: and then/also

• viṣṇuḥ: Viṣṇu

• bhagavān: the Blessed Lord

• purāriḥ: the Slayer of Tripura (Śiva)

• divākaraḥ: the Sun (Sūrya)

• api: even/also

• atra: here/in this rite or context

• hiraṇmayaḥ: made of gold/golden

• syāt: should be/ought to be

• mūrdhanya-avasthānam: foremost placement/highest position of honour

• amatsareṇa: without envy/without rivalry

• kāryam: should be done/ought to be performed

• tu: indeed

• anekaiḥ: by many

• ca: and

• punaḥ: again/furthermore

• dvija-aughaiḥ: by multitudes/assemblies of twice-born (Brahmin) priests.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s Vastu/ritual discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahma
• Vishnu
• Shiva (Purari)
• Surya (Divakara)
• Dvijas (Brahmin priests)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Pratima
• Temple ritual
• Iconography
• Priestly protocol

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on ritual/temple procedure—specifying golden representations of major deities and their honoured placement, emphasizing harmony (absence of envy) among officiants.

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

It implies that patrons (kings/householders) should sponsor sacred works with proper hierarchy and qualified priestly assemblies, ensuring the ceremony proceeds without factional rivalry—an ethical standard for orderly dharmic patronage.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It prescribes icon-material (golden images) and mūrdhanya—foremost placement—indicating temple/altar precedence, and it stresses that multiple Brahmin groups should conduct the work cooperatively, reflecting formal consecration protocol.