Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity, Shloka 58

Devanagari script

ततः शुक्लाम्बरधरः शुक्लगन्धानुलेपनः सर्वौषधैः सर्वगन्धैः स्नापितो द्विजपुंगवैः //

Transliteration

tataḥ śuklāmbaradharaḥ śuklagandhānulepanaḥ sarvauṣadhaiḥ sarvagandhaiḥ snāpito dvijapuṃgavaiḥ //

Translation

तत्पश्चात् वह श्वेत वस्त्र धारण किए हुए और शुभ श्वेत सुगंधों का लेपन किए हुए, श्रेष्ठ ब्राह्मणों द्वारा समस्त पवित्र औषधियों और समस्त प्रकार की सुगंधों से स्नान कराया गया।

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• śukla-ambara-dharaḥ: wearing white garments

• śukla-gandha-anulepanaḥ: smeared/anointed with white (pure, auspicious) fragrance

• sarva-auṣadhaiḥ: with all (kinds of) medicinal/sacred herbs

• sarva-gandhaiḥ: with all (kinds of) perfumes/fragrances

• snāpitaḥ: was bathed/caused to bathe (ritually)

• dvija-puṃgavaiḥ: by the foremost among the twice-born (excellent Brahmins).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice) describing the ritual sequence

Entities Mentioned

• Dvija (Brahmins)

Tags

• Ritual
• Snana
• Purification
• Brahmins
• Auspiciousness

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on ritual purity—bathing, white garments, and fragrant anointing as preparatory acts for an auspicious religious observance.

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

It models dharmic conduct: before worship, vows, or major rites, a householder (and likewise a king) should undergo purification—clean attire, auspicious anointing, and a properly conducted bath under learned guidance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights snāna and anulepana using herbs and fragrances, performed by qualified Brahmins—standard preparatory protocol for pūjā and vrata ceremonies (relevant to temple-ritual procedure rather than building design).