Kūpa
Kūpa, “a well”
Grammar: masculine noun.
Meaning: a well.
In the scriptures: the pasture has a well on its north to guard the boundary, and wells are consecrated like tanks, with special pūjā of Varuṇadeva and the nāgas (Madhyama Parva, Bhāga 3, Chapters 2–3). The Garga-trirātra yajña is performed in such pratishṭhās. The kūpa is dedicated with a saṅkalpa-vākya, and brāhmaṇas receive a milch cow and dakshiṇā. For a small kūpa, Gaṇeśa and Varuṇadeva receive pūjā on a kalaśa wound with red thread, a yūpa is set up, the kūpa is dedicated with a saṅkalpa, and dakshiṇā is given (Madhyama Parva, Bhāga 3, Chapters 12–13). Bhagavān Śrī Kṛshṇa names the kūpa among the works of puṇya. It should be built where many creatures can drink. If its water is sweet, the seven kulas of its builder are raised, and he whose well water men drink gains puṇya of every kind (Uttara Parva, Chapters 127–129).
Related terms: Taḍāga · Vāpī · Dharmaśālā
Sources
- Bhavishya Purāṇa, Madhyama Parva, Bhāga 3, Chapters 2–3, 12–13; Uttara Parva, Chapters 127–129