Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

पूर्वेण हस्तमितमत्र विधाय कुण्डं कार्यस्तिलैर्यवघृतेन समित्कुशैश्च रात्रौ च जागरमनुद्धतगीततूर्यैर् आवाहनं च कथयामि शिलोच्चयानाम् //

Transliteration

pūrveṇa hastamitamatra vidhāya kuṇḍaṃ kāryastilairyavaghṛtena samitkuśaiśca rātrau ca jāgaramanuddhatagītatūryair āvāhanaṃ ca kathayāmi śiloccayānām //

Translation

Here, on the eastern side, one should construct a kuṇḍa (fire-pit) measuring one cubit. It is to be prepared with sesame, barley, and ghee, along with fuel-sticks and kuśa grass. One should keep a night-long vigil with restrained singing and instrumental music; and now I shall explain the rite of invocation (āvāhana) for the śiloccaya, the stone-heaps/stone-structures.

Word by Word

• पूर्वेण: on the eastern side

• हस्तमितम्: measured by a cubit (hasta)

• अत्र: here/in this rite

• विधाय: having made/constructed

• कुण्डम्: fire-pit, ritual hearth

• कार्यः: should be done/should be prepared

• तिलैः: with sesame seeds

• यवघृतेन: with barley and ghee (yava + ghṛta)

• समित्: fuel-sticks (for fire)

• कुशैः: with kuśa grass

• च: and

• रात्रौ: at night

• जागरम्: vigil/wakefulness (keeping awake)

• अनुद्धत-गीत-तूर्यैः: with unboisterous (restrained) songs and musical instruments

• आवाहनम्: invocation, calling-in (of the presence)

• च: and

• कथयामि: I shall explain/tell

• शिलोच्चयानाम्: of stone-heaps/stone-altars/stone structures (piled stones prepared for rite).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Kuṇḍa
• Kuśa grass
• Śiloccaya

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Ritual
• Consecration
• Temple Architecture
• Āvāhana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it gives a technical ritual directive—how to set up a one-cubit fire-pit on the east and perform a restrained night vigil as part of invoking a sacred stone structure.

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

It frames dharma as disciplined ritual conduct: the patron (king/householder) should follow precise measurements, proper materials (til, yava, ghṛta, samit, kuśa), and controlled celebration (anuddhata gīta-tūrya) while sponsoring consecration rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies Vastu-ritual protocol: an east-placed, one-cubit kunda and prescribed offerings, plus a night-long jāgara, culminating in āvāhana for the śiloccaya—indicating formal consecration/activation of a stone altar or stone-built sacred element.