Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — The Rite of the Vibhūti-Dvādaśī Vow

Devanagari script

मत्स्यमुत्पलसंयुक्तं हैमं कृत्वा तु शक्तितः उदकुम्भसमायुक्तम् अग्रतः स्थापयेद्बुधः //

Transliteration

matsyamutpalasaṃyuktaṃ haimaṃ kṛtvā tu śaktitaḥ udakumbhasamāyuktam agrataḥ sthāpayedbudhaḥ //

Translation

According to one’s means, the wise person should make a golden figure of a fish adorned with a lotus, and place it in front together with a water-pot (kumbha).

Word by Word

• मत्स्यम् (matsyam): a fish

• उत्पल (utpala): lotus

• संयुक्तम् (saṃyuktam): joined with, adorned with

• हैमम् (haimam): made of gold, golden

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having made

• तु (tu): then/indeed

• शक्तितः (śaktitaḥ): according to ability/means

• उदकुम्भ (udakumbha): water-pot, ritual kumbha filled with water

• समायुक्तम् (samāyuktam): accompanied by, together with

• अग्रतः (agrataḥ): in front, before (the altar/deity)

• स्थापयेत् (sthāpayet): should place/establish

• बुधः (budhaḥ): the wise/learned practitioner.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (ritual guidance within the Matsya Purana’s discourse frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Utpala (Lotus)
• Udakumbha (Water-pot)

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Ritual
• Pratishtha
• Iconography
• Kumbha

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it uses Matsya as a sacred emblem in a ritual arrangement, reflecting the Purana’s practice of invoking Matsya’s auspicious power in worship contexts.

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

It frames a practical dharmic duty: performing worship according to one’s capacity (śaktitaḥ), emphasizing responsible, means-based ritual observance rather than excess.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies a ritual placement rule: a golden fish symbol adorned with a lotus is set in front, accompanied by a water-filled kumbha—standard consecration/worship staging used in Vastu/Pratishtha procedures.