Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity, Shloka 24

Devanagari script

मृदमानीय विप्रेन्द्र सर्वौषधिजलान्विताम् स्नानार्थं विन्यसेत्तत्र यजमानस्य धर्मवित् //

Transliteration

mṛdamānīya viprendra sarvauṣadhijalānvitām snānārthaṃ vinyasettatra yajamānasya dharmavit //

Translation

婆罗门中之最胜者啊，取来净土（mṛd，洁净之泥）并配以浸含诸药草之水，通达法（dharma）者应将其安置于彼处，以供祭主（yajamāna）行仪式沐浴。

Word by Word

• मृदम् (mṛdam): purifying earth/clay

• आनीय (ānīya): having brought

• विप्रेन्द्र (viprendra): O chief among Brahmins

• सर्वौषधि-जल-अन्विताम् (sarvauṣadhi-jalānvitām): accompanied by water infused with all herbs/medicinal plants

• स्नान-अर्थम् (snānārtham): for the purpose of bathing

• विन्यसेत् (vinyaset): should place/arrange

• तत्र (tatra): there, at that spot

• यजमानस्य (yajamānasya): of the sacrificer/patron of the rite

• धर्मवित् (dharmavit): one who knows dharma/ritual propriety

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (dialogue context of the Matsya Purana’s teachings)

Entities Mentioned

• Vipra (Brahmin)
• Yajamana (sacrificer)

Tags

• Matsya Purana ritual rules
• Snana vidhi
• Purification
• Dharma
• Herbal water

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on ritual purification—preparing clay and herb-infused water for the sacrificer’s ceremonial bath.

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

It reflects the householder/sacrificer’s duty to perform rites with proper purity: a dharma-knower arranges the required materials so the yajamāna may undertake worship or sacrifice in a ritually fit state.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes snāna-vidhi materials—purifying earth and sarvauṣadhi (all-herb) water—indicating a formal, rule-based preparation of the bathing spot as part of ceremonial procedure.