Shloka 47

Matsya Purana — Agastya’s Origin

Devanagari script

सकांस्यपात्राक्षतशुक्तियुक्तं मन्त्रेण दद्याद्द्विजपुंगवाय उत्क्षिप्य लम्बोदरदीर्घबाहुम् अनन्यचेता यमदिङ्मुखः सन् //

Transliteration

sakāṃsyapātrākṣataśuktiyuktaṃ mantreṇa dadyāddvijapuṃgavāya utkṣipya lambodaradīrghabāhum ananyacetā yamadiṅmukhaḥ san //

Translation

With a mantra, one should present to an excellent brāhmaṇa a bronze vessel furnished with unbroken grains of rice and a conch-shell; lifting up in reverence the one with a pendulous belly and long arms, he should do so with undistracted mind, facing the direction of Yama (the south).

Word by Word

• sa-kāṁsya-pātra: together with a bronze vessel

• akṣata: unbroken rice grains

• śukti-yuktam: accompanied/combined with a conch-shell

• mantreṇa: with (the recitation of) a mantra

• dadyāt: should give

• dvija-puṅgavāya: to a bull among the twice-born (an eminent brāhmaṇa)

• utkṣipya: having lifted up/raised (in respect, or as part of the rite)

• lambodara: (one) with a hanging/protruding belly

• dīrgha-bāhum: (one) with long arms

• ananya-cetā: with single-pointed, undistracted mind

• yama-diṅ-mukhaḥ: facing Yama’s direction (south)

• san: being/while remaining.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within ritual injunctions)

Entities Mentioned

• Yama
• Dvija (Brāhmaṇa)

Tags

• Dāna
• Ritual procedure
• Directional rule
• Mantra
• Śrāddha themes

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it gives a ritual instruction (dāna-vidhi), emphasizing mantra-recitation, focused attention, and the rule of facing Yama’s direction (south) during the act.

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

It frames dharmic duty as disciplined giving: a householder (or ruler as patron) should donate properly prepared items to a worthy brāhmaṇa, with mantra and mental concentration, following prescribed ritual orientation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies the offering set (bronze vessel + akṣata + conch) and a directional injunction—performing the act facing south (Yama-diśā)—highlighting procedural precision rather than Vāstu/temple architecture.