Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds, Shloka 6

Devanagari script

प्रागुदक्प्रवणे देशे तडागस्य समीपतः चतुर्हस्तां शुभां वेदीं चतुरस्रां चतुर्मुखाम् //

Transliteration

prāgudakpravaṇe deśe taḍāgasya samīpataḥ caturhastāṃ śubhāṃ vedīṃ caturasrāṃ caturmukhām //

Translation

ପୂର୍ବ ଓ ଉତ୍ତର ଦିଗକୁ ଢାଳୁଥିବା ସ୍ଥାନରେ, ତଡାଗର ସମୀପରେ, ଚାରି ହସ୍ତ ପରିମାଣର ଶୁଭ ବେଦୀ—ଚତୁରସ୍ର ଓ ଚତୁର୍ମୁଖ (ଚାରି ଦିଗମୁଖୀ) ପ୍ରସ୍ତୁତ କରିବା ଉଚିତ।

Word by Word

• prāk: eastward

• udak: northward

• pravaṇe: on a slope/slanting ground

• deśe: in a place/region

• taḍāgasya: of a pond/reservoir

• samīpataḥ: near/close by

• catur-hastām: four-hastas in measure

• śubhām: auspicious

• vedīm: altar/platform (ritual/architectural base)

• caturasrām: square

• caturmukhām: four-faced/four-fronted (opening/oriented to four directions)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (context: Vastuvidya guidance in Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Taḍāga (pond/reservoir)
• Vedī (altar/platform)

Tags

• Matsya Purana Vastu
• Vastu Shastra
• Ritual altar
• Site selection
• Temple/vedi layout

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it is a Vastuvidya instruction focused on choosing auspicious terrain and specifying the altar’s form and measurements.

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

It supports the duty of establishing orderly, auspicious ritual and civic spaces—guiding rulers/householders to select proper land (east/north slope) and to build correctly measured, directionally aligned platforms for ceremonies or construction rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It prescribes a square, four-direction-facing vedī of four hastas, placed near a water source and on an east/north sloping site—key Vastu markers for auspicious orientation, stability, and ritual suitability.