Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

रौप्यान्महेन्द्रप्रमुखांस् तथाष्टौ संस्थाप्य लोकाधिपतीन्क्रमेण नानाफलाली च समन्ततः स्यान् मनोरमं माल्यविलेपनं च //

Transliteration

raupyānmahendrapramukhāṃs tathāṣṭau saṃsthāpya lokādhipatīnkrameṇa nānāphalālī ca samantataḥ syān manoramaṃ mālyavilepanaṃ ca //

Translation

Then, fashioning them in silver, one should install in due order the eight world-guardians beginning with Mahendra (Indra). All around there should be rows of diverse fruits, along with delightful garlands and fragrant unguents for anointing.

Word by Word

• raupyān: made of silver

• mahendra-pramukhān: beginning with Mahendra (Indra) and the rest

• tathā: likewise/also

• aṣṭau: eight

• saṃsthāpya: having installed/established

• loka-adhipatīn: lords of the worlds (Lokapālas/Dikpālas)

• krameṇa: in proper sequence

• nānā: various

• phala-ālī: rows/lines/heaps of fruits

• ca: and

• samantataḥ: on all sides

• syāt: should be/should be arranged

• manoramam: delightful/pleasing

• mālya: garlands/flower-wreaths

• vilepanam: anointing paste/unguents/perfumed smearing

• ca: and.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Mahendra (Indra)
• Lokapālas (Dikpālas / Guardians of the Directions)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Pratiṣṭhā
• Lokapāla
• Temple Ritual
• Pūjā Upacāra

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it prescribes ritual installation and auspicious decoration—placing the Lokapālas and arranging offerings—typical of Vastu/Pratiṣṭhā procedures.

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

It reflects the duty to uphold dharma through properly ordered worship and consecration: installing deities/guardians in sequence and providing fitting offerings (fruits, garlands, unguents) as part of public or household religious rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it mandates installing the eight Dikpālas (starting with Indra) in correct directional order and adorning the space with auspicious items—fruit rows, garlands, and perfumed anointing—standard elements of temple consecration and Vastu-alankāra.