Matsya Purana — Design and Splendour of Tripura: Maya’s Threefold Moving Fortress, Shloka 18

Devanagari script

किङ्किणीजालशब्दानि गन्धवन्ति महान्ति च सुसंयुक्तोपलिप्तानि पुष्पनैवेद्यवन्ति च //

Transliteration

kiṅkiṇījālaśabdāni gandhavanti mahānti ca susaṃyuktopaliptāni puṣpanaivedyavanti ca //

Translation

Hendaklah kedengaran bunyi jalinan loceng kecil; susunannya wajar harum dan agung, tersusun rapi serta disapu/ditampal dengan sempurna, dan juga dihiasi dengan bunga serta persembahan makanan (naivedya).

Word by Word

• किङ्किणी: small bells

• जाल: net/mesh/cluster

• शब्दानि: sounds

• गन्धवन्ति: fragrant/scented

• महान्ति: great/grand/large

• च: and

• सुसंयुक्त: well-joined/well-arranged

• उपलिप्तानि: anointed/smeared/plastered (with auspicious paste, clay, or unguents)

• पुष्प: flowers

• नैवेद्य: food offering

• वन्ति: possessing/endowed with

• च: and

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this Vastuvidya stream)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya Purana
• Naivedya
• Kiṅkiṇī (bells)
• Pūjā (implied)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Temple Ritual
• Iconography
• Puja Items
• Sacred Sound

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on auspicious sensory and ritual arrangements—sound (bells), fragrance, and offerings—typical of temple or worship-space prescriptions.

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

It reflects the duty to maintain proper worship—ensuring cleanliness, auspicious presentation, and regular offerings (flowers and naivedya)—a standard responsibility for householders and for kings supporting public temples.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It emphasizes auspicious temple/worship aesthetics: bell-sounds (kiṅkiṇī-jāla) for sacred ambience, fragrant and grand arrangements, proper anointing/plastering, and the presence of flowers and food offerings as essential components of pūjā.