Matsya Purana — Rites for Consecrating and Celebrating Trees, Shloka 12

Devanagari script

ततो ऽभिषेकमन्त्रेण वाद्यमङ्गलगीतकैः ऋग्यजुःसाममन्त्रैश्च वारुणैरभितस्तथा तैरेव कुम्भैः स्नपनं कुर्याद्ब्राह्मणपुंगवः //

Transliteration

tato 'bhiṣekamantreṇa vādyamaṅgalagītakaiḥ ṛgyajuḥsāmamantraiśca vāruṇairabhitastathā taireva kumbhaiḥ snapanaṃ kuryādbrāhmaṇapuṃgavaḥ //

Translation

Puis, avec le mantra de consécration (abhiṣeka), au milieu des instruments et des chants de bon augure, et avec les mantras védiques du Ṛg, du Yajus et du Sāma, ainsi qu’avec les formules liées à Varuṇa (l’eau) récitées tout autour, le plus éminent des brahmanes doit accomplir le bain rituel (snapana) au moyen de ces mêmes jarres d’eau (kumbha).

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereupon

• abhiṣeka-mantreṇa: by/with the consecration mantra

• vādya: musical instruments

• maṅgala-gītakaiḥ: with auspicious songs/benedictory chants

• ṛg-yajuḥ-sāma-mantraiḥ: with mantras of the Ṛgveda, Yajurveda, and Sāmaveda

• ca: and

• vāruṇaiḥ: with Varuṇa-related (water/ritual) formulas

• abhitastathā: likewise from all sides/around

• taiḥ eva: by those very (same)

• kumbhaiḥ: with water-pots/ritual jars

• snapanaṃ: ritual bathing/aspersive bath

• kuryāt: should perform

• brāhmaṇa-puṃgavaḥ: the bull among Brahmins/the foremost Brahmin (chief officiant).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, mediated in Purāṇic narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Varuṇa
• Ṛgveda
• Yajurveda
• Sāmaveda
• Brāhmaṇa (officiant)

Tags

• Abhiṣeka
• Snapana
• Vedic Mantras
• Ritual Procedure
• Consecration

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it focuses on orderly ritual consecration, emphasizing sacred water (Varuṇa) and Vedic sound as stabilizing, dharmic forces in religious life.

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

Abhiṣeka is central to royal legitimacy and major household/temple rites; the verse implies that such ceremonies should be conducted under a qualified Brahmin, using Vedic recitation, auspicious music, and properly prepared water-pots.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes snapana/abhiṣeka using kumbhas, accompanied by Vedic and Varuṇa (water) mantras and auspicious music—key elements in temple consecration and icon-installation contexts often discussed alongside Matsya Purana ritual and vastu traditions.