Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — Ekoddiṣṭa Śrāddha

Devanagari script

काञ्चनं पुरुषं तद्वत् फलवस्त्रसमन्विताम् संपूज्य द्विजदाम्पत्यं नानाभरणभूषणैः //

Transliteration

kāñcanaṃ puruṣaṃ tadvat phalavastrasamanvitām saṃpūjya dvijadāmpatyaṃ nānābharaṇabhūṣaṇaiḥ //

Translation

Likewise, one should fashion a golden male figure and, together with fruits and garments, duly worship a Brahmin couple, adorning them with various ornaments and decorations.

Word by Word

• kāñcanam: golden (made of gold)

• puruṣam: a male figure/person (iconic representation)

• tadvat: similarly/likewise

• phala: fruits

• vastra: garments/cloth

• samanvitām: accompanied with/endowed with

• saṃpūjya: having worshipped/honoured properly

• dvija: twice-born (Brahmin)

• dāmpatyam: the married couple (husband and wife together)

• nānā: various/many kinds of

• ābharaṇa: ornaments/jewellery

• bhūṣaṇaiḥ: adornments/decorations (instrumental plural, 'with adornments').

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s ritual instructions in a dialogue framework ultimately attributed to Lord Matsya’s teaching to Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Dvija-dampati (Brahmin couple)
• Kāñcana-puruṣa (golden male figure)

Tags

• Dana
• Ritual Worship
• Brahmin Couple
• Householder Dharma
• Pratima (Iconic Figure)

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on dharmic ritual practice—formal worship and gifting—rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It prescribes a householder-style dana and puja: honoring a qualified Brahmin couple with gifts (gold representation, fruits, clothing, ornaments), reflecting the Purana’s emphasis on merit through respectful hospitality and charity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it indicates pratima-style gifting/worship (a golden male figure) and complete upacara (offerings of fruit, cloth, and adornment), a pattern often linked with consecratory donations and merit-making rites.