Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds, Shloka 7

Devanagari script

तथा षोडशहस्तः स्यान् मण्डपश्च चतुर्मुखः वेद्याश्च परितो गर्ता रत्निमात्रास्त्रिमेखलाः //

Transliteration

tathā ṣoḍaśahastaḥ syān maṇḍapaśca caturmukhaḥ vedyāśca parito gartā ratnimātrāstrimekhalāḥ //

Translation

Demikian juga, maṇḍapa hendaklah berukuran enam belas hasta (hasta, cubit) dan berkepala empat (empat pintu masuk). Di sekeliling pelantar altar (vedī) hendaklah ada parit (garta) serta tiga jalur ikatan keliling (tri-mekhalā), setiap satu bersaiz satu ratni (ratni, jengkal).

Word by Word

• tathā: likewise/also

• ṣoḍaśa-hastaḥ: of sixteen hastas (cubits)

• syāt: should be

• maṇḍapaḥ: pavilion/mandapa hall

• ca: and

• caturmukhaḥ: four-faced/four-sided (having four entrances)

• vedyāḥ: of the vedī (altar-platform)

• ca: and

• paritaḥ: all around

• gartā: trench/pit/channel

• ratni-mātrāḥ: of ratni-measure (a span)

• tri-mekhalāḥ: three encircling bands/girdles (three concentric rings/steps)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Mandapa
• Vedi

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Mandapa
• Vedi
• TempleArchitecture
• RitualDesign

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it belongs to the Matsya Purana’s Vastuvidya material, prescribing precise architectural/ritual measurements for a mandapa and vedī layout.

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

It supports the dharmic duty of patrons (kings/householders) to build and sponsor correctly proportioned ritual and temple structures; accurate measurements are treated as essential for auspiciousness and proper worship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies a standard mandapa size (16 hastas), a four-entranced plan (caturmukha), and a vedi arrangement with an encircling trench and three concentric bands/steps, each one ratni in measure—key Matsya Purana temple and ritual-platform design rules.