Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — Rites for Consecrating and Celebrating Trees

Devanagari script

यथास्वं लोकपालानाम् इन्द्रादीनां विशेषतः वनस्पतेश्च विद्वद्भिर् होमः कार्यो द्विजातिभिः //

Transliteration

yathāsvaṃ lokapālānām indrādīnāṃ viśeṣataḥ vanaspateśca vidvadbhir homaḥ kāryo dvijātibhiḥ //

Translation

依其应有次第，应由通晓仪轨的二次生者（dvija）行火供（homa），以供养诸护世神（Lokapāla），尤以因陀罗等诸天为要，并亦供养婆那斯帕提（Vanaspati）——草木树木之主。

Word by Word

• yathāsvaṃ: according to each one’s due share/appropriate rule

• lokapālānām: of the world-guardians (Lokapālas)

• indrādīnām: of Indra and the others

• viśeṣataḥ: especially, in particular

• vanaspateḥ (vanaspateś ca): of Vanaspati and also

• vidvadbhiḥ: by the learned/ritually competent

• homaḥ: fire-offering, oblation into the fire

• kāryaḥ: should be done, is to be performed

• dvijātibhiḥ: by the twice-born (Brahmin/Kshatriya/Vaishya)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lokapālas
• Indra
• Vanaspati

Tags

• Homa
• Ritual Dharma
• Lokapālas
• Indra
• Vedic fire offering

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on maintaining cosmic order through prescribed homa offerings to world-guardians like Indra and to Vanaspati, reflecting a dharmic way of sustaining harmony rather than describing dissolution.

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

It frames a core duty of dharmic life: qualified dvijas should perform fire-offerings to key cosmic administrators (Lokapālas, Indra) and to Vanaspati, implying that rulers and householders support social and ecological well-being through properly conducted yajña/homa.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes correct allocation (“yathāsvaṃ”) and competent performance (“vidvadbhiḥ”) of homa to specific deities—principles that also underpin temple and Vastu-linked consecration rites where offerings are made in precise order to directional deities and cosmic powers.