Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity, Shloka 145

Devanagari script

वश्यकर्मणि बिल्वानां पद्मानां चैव धर्मवित् सुमित्रिया न आप ओषधय इति होमयेत् //

Transliteration

vaśyakarmaṇi bilvānāṃ padmānāṃ caiva dharmavit sumitriyā na āpa oṣadhaya iti homayet //

Translation

वश्य-कर्म में धर्मवित् पुरुष बिल्व-पत्रों और पद्म (कमल) के साथ होम करे, और “सुमित्रिया न आप ओषधयः” इस मन्त्र से आहुति दे।

Word by Word

• vaśya-karmaṇi: in a vaśya rite (attraction/subjugation ritual)

• bilvānām: of bilva (Aegle marmelos) leaves/parts

• padmānām: of lotuses (petals/flowers)

• ca eva: and indeed

• dharma-vit: one who knows dharma/ritual propriety

• (su)mitriyā: with/through the (su)mitriyā formula (as a mantra-reading)

• na: not/indeed (mantric particle here)

• āpaḥ: waters

• oṣadhayaḥ: medicinal herbs/plants

• iti: thus (quoting the mantra)

• homayet: he should offer (into the fire), perform homa.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, ritual-vidhi context)

Entities Mentioned

• Bilva (Aegle marmelos)
• Padma (Lotus)
• Āpaḥ (Waters)
• Oṣadhayaḥ (Herbs)

Tags

• Homa
• Mantra-vidhi
• Vaśya-karman
• Ritual items
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it preserves a ritual rule (vidhi) using the Vedic idea of “waters and herbs” as sustaining powers invoked through mantra during homa.

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

It frames vaśya-type rites as something to be done by a “dharmavit” (one grounded in dharma), implying that even goal-oriented rituals must follow correct materials, mantra, and restraint under ethical oversight.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies homa-dravyas (bilva and lotus) and a particular mantra-recitation for vaśya-karman—useful for understanding Matsya Purana ritual manuals rather than temple architecture.