Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds, Shloka 24

Devanagari script

कूर्मादि स्थापयेन्मध्ये वारुणं मन्त्रमाश्रितः ब्रह्माणं च शिवं विष्णुं तत्रैव स्थापयेद्बुधः //

Transliteration

kūrmādi sthāpayenmadhye vāruṇaṃ mantramāśritaḥ brahmāṇaṃ ca śivaṃ viṣṇuṃ tatraiva sthāpayedbudhaḥ //

Translation

Dengan bersandar pada mantra Vāruṇa, pendeta yang bijaksana hendaklah menegakkan lambang penopang bermula dengan Kura-kura di pusat; dan di tempat yang sama juga hendaklah ia menempatkan Brahmā, Śiva, dan Viṣṇu.

Word by Word

• कूर्मादि: the Tortoise and related (supporting forms/emblems)

• स्थापयेत्: should स्थापित/establish, install

• मध्ये: in the middle/centre

• वारुणम्: belonging to Varuṇa, the Vāruṇa (mantra)

• मन्त्रम्: mantra

• आश्रितः: having resorted to, invoking/reciting

• ब्रह्माणम्: Brahmā

• च: and

• शिवम्: Śiva

• विष्णुम्: Viṣṇu

• तत्र एव: right there, in that very spot

• स्थापयेत्: should install

• बुधः: the wise person/learned ritualist.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a Vāstu/ritual discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Kūrma (Tortoise emblem/support)
• Varuṇa
• Brahmā
• Śiva
• Viṣṇu

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Temple ritual
• Pratishtha
• Mantra
• Trimurti

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; instead, it preserves cosmic order symbolically by placing foundational supports (like Kūrma) and the Trimūrti at the centre—an architectural mirror of stable creation.

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

It frames a duty of patronage and correct ritual practice: a king or householder supporting temple consecration should ensure mantras and placements are done properly by a learned officiant, reflecting dharma through orderly worship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It gives a Vāstu-pratiṣṭhā rule: the centre is ritually charged by installing a Kūrma-like support and establishing Brahmā, Śiva, and Viṣṇu there, with the Vāruṇa mantra as the empowering recitation.