Shloka 85

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

मध्याह्नः खड्गपात्रं च तथा नेपालकम्बलः रूप्यं दर्भास्तिला गावो दौहित्रश्चाष्टमः स्मृतः //

Transliteration

madhyāhnaḥ khaḍgapātraṃ ca tathā nepālakambalaḥ rūpyaṃ darbhāstilā gāvo dauhitraścāṣṭamaḥ smṛtaḥ //

Translation

Midday (the proper time), a sword and a vessel, a Nepalese blanket, silver, darbha-grass, sesame seeds, cows, and the daughter’s son (grandson)—these are remembered as the eightfold set.

Word by Word

• मध्याह्नः (madhyāhnaḥ): midday, the noon-time (as a prescribed ritual time)

• खड्ग (khaḍga): sword

• पात्रं (pātraṃ): vessel, bowl, receptacle

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• नेपालकम्बलः (nepāla-kambalaḥ): a Nepalese woolen blanket/shawl

• रूप्यं (rūpyaṃ): silver

• दर्भाः (darbhāḥ): darbha grass (kuśa-type sacred grass)

• तिलाः (tilāḥ): sesame seeds

• गावः (gāvaḥ): cows

• दौहित्रः (dauhitraḥ): daughter’s son (grandson)

• अष्टमः (aṣṭamaḥ): eighth / eightfold

• स्मृतः (smṛtaḥ): is remembered, is stated in tradition

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the didactic narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Dana Dharma
• Ritual Timing
• Prescribed Gifts
• Punya
• Householder Duties

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to the dharma-teaching portion and lists an eightfold set connected with proper giving (dāna) and ritual propriety.

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

It supports the householder/kingly duty of charity by specifying suitable items and a proper time (midday), implying that disciplined, timely giving of valued goods (like silver, cows, protective items) is a dharmic obligation that generates merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the emphasis on correct kāla (time)—midday—and the inclusion of standard dāna substances (darbha, sesame) used in Vedic-Puranic rites, indicating that gifts are integrated with formal sacrificial/ritual procedure rather than being merely social charity.