Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — The Rite of Donating the ‘Mountain of Salt’

Devanagari script

विधानं पूर्ववत्कुर्याद् ब्रह्मादीनां च सर्वदा तद्वद्धेममयान्सर्वांल् लोकपालान्निवेशयेत् //

Transliteration

vidhānaṃ pūrvavatkuryād brahmādīnāṃ ca sarvadā tadvaddhemamayānsarvāṃl lokapālānniveśayet //

Translation

One should always carry out the prescribed rite for Brahmā and the other deities exactly as stated earlier; likewise, one should install all the Lokapālas, the guardians of the directions, fashioned in gold.

Word by Word

• विधानम् (vidhānam): prescribed rite/procedure

• पूर्ववत् (pūrvavat): as previously described

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): should do/should perform

• ब्रह्मादीनाम् (brahmādīnām): of Brahmā and the others (chief deities)

• च (ca): and

• सर्वदा (sarvadā): always

• तद्वत् (tadvat): likewise/in the same manner

• धेममयान्/हेममयान् (dhemamayān/hemamayān): made of gold

• सर्वान् (sarvān): all

• लोकपालान् (lokapālān): the Lokapālas, guardians of the directions

• निवेशयेत् (niveśayet): should place/install/enshrine.

Speaker

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

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmā
• Lokapālas

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Temple installation
• Pratima Lakshana
• Lokapāla worship
• Ritual procedure

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to the Matsya Purana’s Vastu/ritual instructions, emphasizing correct repetition of earlier procedures and the consecration of directional guardians.

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

It frames a duty of patrons (kings or householders) supporting temple building and worship: follow established injunctions (pūrvavat) and properly install deities and Lokapālas to maintain religious order and auspiciousness in the realm/home.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it mandates installing Brahmā and other deities using the previously taught method, and specifically enshrining the Lokapālas—here described as golden images—indicating prescribed placement and material standards in temple consecration.