Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds, Shloka 34

Devanagari script

शाक्रं रौद्रं च सौम्यं च कूष्माण्डं जातवेदसम् सौरसूक्तं जपेन्मन्त्रं दक्षिणेन यजुर्विदः //

Transliteration

śākraṃ raudraṃ ca saumyaṃ ca kūṣmāṇḍaṃ jātavedasam saurasūktaṃ japenmantraṃ dakṣiṇena yajurvidaḥ //

Translation

தென் யஜுர்வேதத்தை அறிந்தவர் சாக்ரம், ரௌத்ரம், சௌம்யம் ஆகிய மந்திரங்களையும், கூஷ்மாண்டம், ஜாதவேதஸ் சூத்திரங்களையும், சௌர-சூக்தத்தையும் ஜபமாக உச்சரிக்க வேண்டும்.

Word by Word

• śākram: relating to Śakra/Indra (Indra-mantra)

• raudram: relating to Rudra (Rudra-mantra)

• saumyam: relating to Soma (Soma-mantra)

• kūṣmāṇḍam: the Kūṣmāṇḍa formula/hymn (traditionally used for protection/warding off affliction)

• jātavedasam: the Jātavedas (Agni) formula/hymn

• saura-sūktam: the hymn to Sūrya (Sun)

• japet: should recite/intonate as japa

• mantram: the mantra(s)

• dakṣiṇena: in the southern (recension/tradition)

• yajuḥ-vidaḥ: of the knower of the Yajurveda / Yajurvedic adept.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a prescriptive discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Śakra (Indra)
• Rudra
• Soma
• Jātavedas (Agni)
• Sūrya

Tags

• Mantra Japa
• Yajurveda
• Ritual Procedure
• Saura Sukta
• Vedic Deities

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a ritual prescription listing specific deity-linked mantras and a Saura Sūkta to be recited as japa by a Yajurvedic adept.

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

It frames a practical dharmic duty: disciplined mantra-recitation (japa) according to one’s Vedic tradition, invoking Indra, Rudra, Soma, Agni (Jātavedas), and Sūrya for protection, order, and wellbeing—relevant to household rites and royal welfare-rituals alike.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): it specifies an authorized set of mantras/sūktas—especially the Saura Sūkta—for recitation within the southern Yajurvedic tradition, indicating lineage-specific liturgical practice.