Matsya Purana — Description of Atri’s Hermitage: Sacred Grove Planning, Shloka 17

Devanagari script

आदित्यमुस्तकैः कुम्भैः कुङ्कुमैः कामवल्लभैः कट्फलैर्बदरैर्नीपैर् दीपैरिव महोज्ज्वलैः //

Transliteration

ādityamustakaiḥ kumbhaiḥ kuṅkumaiḥ kāmavallabhaiḥ kaṭphalairbadarairnīpair dīpairiva mahojjvalaiḥ //

Translation

Avec des jarres (placées pour le culte) accompagnées d’adityamustaka odorant, de kuṅkuma (safran), de la plante aimée kāmavallabhā, de kaṭphala, de jujubes (badara) et de fleurs de nīpa, le rite brillait avec éclat, comme éclairé par de grandes lampes.

Word by Word

• āditya-mustakaiḥ: with (the fragrant herb) adityamustaka

• kumbhaiḥ: with pots/ritual jars

• kuṅkumaiḥ: with saffron/vermilion

• kāmavallabhaiḥ: with kāmavallabhā (a beloved fragrant creeper/plant used in worship)

• kaṭphalaiḥ: with kaṭphala (aromatic fruit, commonly identified with myrica)

• badaraiḥ: with badara (jujube/ber)

• nīpaiḥ: with nīpa flowers (kadamba)

• dīpaiḥ iva: like lamps

• mahā-ujjvalaiḥ: very brilliant, greatly shining

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) conveying the Matsya Purana’s ritual/temple-worship procedure (within the Matsya–Manu discourse frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Adityamustaka
• Kumbha (ritual pot)
• Kuṅkuma
• Kāmavallabhā
• Kaṭphala
• Badara
• Nīpa
• Dīpa (lamp)

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Pratishtha
• Temple Ritual
• Upachara
• Dīpa

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it describes auspicious ritual substances and the radiant effect of worship arrangements, emphasizing sacred brightness rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It supports the dharma of maintaining public and domestic worship—providing proper offerings (pots, fragrances, flowers) and illumination, which a king sponsors in temples and a householder upholds in daily and festival pūjā.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it lists key upacāras and dravyas (kumbha setup, fragrances, flowers) and highlights dīpa-like brilliance—an indicator of a properly adorned, well-lit consecration or festival setting in temple practice.