Shloka 8
The Procedure for the Consecration of a Pond
वितस्तिमात्रा योनिः स्यात्षट्सप्तांगुलि विस्तृता । गर्ताश्च हस्तमात्राः स्युस्त्रिपर्वोच्छ्रितमेखलाः
vitastimātrā yoniḥ syātṣaṭsaptāṃguli vistṛtā | gartāśca hastamātrāḥ syustriparvocchritamekhalāḥ
یونی ایک وِتَستی (ایک بالشت) کے برابر ہو اور چھ یا سات انگل کے برابر چوڑی کی جائے۔ گڑھے ایک ہاتھ کے برابر ہوں، اور میکھلا (گرداگرد کی منڈیر) انگلی کے تین جوڑوں کی اونچائی تک بلند ہو۔
Unspecified (context-dependent within Adhyaya 27)
Concept: Sacred action becomes efficacious when performed with disciplined exactness and reverence for prescribed form.
Application: Treat daily worship and duties with care for details—cleanliness, timing, and mindful preparation—so the outer act trains the inner mind.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: temple
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A freshly prepared sacrificial ground is shown in meticulous geometry: a measured yoni-shaped altar base and neatly dug pits, each bordered by raised earthen ridges like concentric belts. Assistants mark spans and finger-breadths with cords while a calm priest oversees, the earth itself appearing purified by proportion.","primary_figures":["Vedic hotṛ-priest","ritual assistants (ṛtviks/śiṣyas)"],"setting":"Open-air yajña-śālā with leveled earth, marked cords, pits (garta), and raised mekhalā ridges; ritual tools laid on clean cloths.","lighting_mood":"golden dawn","color_palette":["ochre earth","sandalwood beige","vermillion red","smoke gray","golden sunlight"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: a symmetrical yajña-śālā scene with the measured altar-pits and raised mekhalā ridges, priests holding measuring cords and wooden staffs, gold leaf highlighting the sacred geometry lines and ritual vessels, rich vermillion and emerald accents on textiles, gem-studded ornaments on the chief priest, traditional South Indian iconographic clarity.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate depiction of a ritual ground with fine linework showing measured pits and ridges, priests in white with subtle saffron borders, lyrical trees at the horizon, cool morning sky gradients, refined faces and gentle gestures emphasizing precision and serenity.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold black outlines of the yajña layout with stylized pits and mekhalā ridges, priests with characteristic large eyes and calm expressions, natural pigment palette dominated by earthy ochres and reds, temple-wall aesthetic with ornamental borders framing the geometry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: a devotional ritual pavilion foregrounded by lotus and vine borders, stylized sacred ground with repeated geometric motifs, attendants preparing pits and ridges, deep indigo background with gold detailing, intricate floral frames and auspicious symbols integrated into the layout."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Bhupali","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["measuring cord flick","soft chanting in background","temple bells distant","morning birds","gentle wind over earth"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: स्यात्षट्सप्तांगुलि → स्यात् षट् सप्त अङ्गुलि; गर्ताश्च → गर्ताः च; स्युस्त्रिपर्वोच्छ्रितमेखलाः → स्युः त्रि-पर्व-उच्छ्रित-मेखलाः (समास).
FAQs
It gives traditional dimensional guidelines for constructing a ritual base/cavity (yoni), associated pits (garta), and raised rims (mekhalā), using classical Indian units like aṅgula (finger-breadth), vitasti (span), and hasta (cubit).
Aṅgula is a finger-breadth; vitasti is a span (typically 12 aṅgulas in many traditions); hasta is a cubit/forearm length (often 24 aṅgulas), though exact values can vary by śāstric tradition.
This verse is primarily technical (ritual/architectural specification). Its broader ethical implication is adherence to śāstric precision and disciplined practice rather than an explicit devotional (bhakti) exhortation.