Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

सरांसि कामदेवादींस् तद्वदत्रापि कारयेत् कुर्याज्जागरणं चापि दानमन्त्रान्निबोधत //

Transliteration

sarāṃsi kāmadevādīṃs tadvadatrāpi kārayet kuryājjāgaraṇaṃ cāpi dānamantrānnibodhata //

Translation

In the same manner, one should have sacred tanks (reservoirs) made here as well, and likewise arrange the installation and worship of Kāma-deva and other deities. One should also keep a ritual night-vigil (jāgaraṇa); now learn the mantras prescribed for giving gifts (dāna).

Word by Word

• सरांसि (sarāṁsi): sacred lakes/tanks/reservoirs

• कामदेव-आदीन् (kāmadeva-ādīn): Kāma-deva and other (deities)

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

• अत्र अपि (atra api): here also/in this context too

• कारयेत् (kārayet): should cause to be made/should have constructed/arranged

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): should do/should perform

• जागरणम् (jāgaraṇam): night vigil/keeping awake as a vow

• च अपि (ca api): and also

• दान-मन्त्रान् (dāna-mantrān): mantras for gifts/charitable offerings

• निबोधत (nibodhata): understand/learn (now).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Kāmadeva
• Devas (other deities)
• Dāna (charity)
• Jāgaraṇa (vigil)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Ritual Procedure
• Tirtha Construction
• Dana
• Mantras

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on constructive dharmic acts—building sacred water-reservoirs, arranging deity worship, observing a vigil, and learning dāna-mantras.

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

It frames public works (constructing tanks) and regulated worship as meritorious duties; a king sponsors such infrastructure for communal welfare, while a householder participates through vigil-observance and charitable giving with proper mantras.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it endorses constructing sarovaras (tanks) as sacred/public works; ritually, it prescribes deity-focused arrangements, a jāgaraṇa vow, and the correct mantras for dāna—linking Vastu-related building with liturgical procedure.