Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Kamalā-Saptamī Vow: Lotus Rite for Sūrya

Devanagari script

विप्राय दद्यात्सम्पूज्य वस्त्रमाल्यविभूषणैः शक्त्या च कपिलां दद्याद् अलंकृत्य विधानतः //

Transliteration

viprāya dadyātsampūjya vastramālyavibhūṣaṇaiḥ śaktyā ca kapilāṃ dadyād alaṃkṛtya vidhānataḥ //

Translation

Having duly honored a Brahmin (vipra) with garments, garlands, and ornaments, one should give charity to him; and according to one’s capacity, one should also donate a tawny cow (kapilā), properly adorned, in the prescribed manner.

Word by Word

• विप्राय (viprāya): to a Brahmin

• दद्यात् (dadyāt): one should give/donate

• सम्पूज्य (sampūjya): having fully honored/worshipped

• वस्त्र (vastra): garments

• माल्य (mālya): garlands

• विभूषणैः (vibhūṣaṇaiḥ): with ornaments/adornments

• शक्त्या (śaktyā): according to one’s ability

• च (ca): and

• कपिलाम् (kapilām): a tawny/brown cow (kapilā)

• दद्याद् (dadyād): one should give

• अलंकृत्य (alaṃkṛtya): having adorned/decorated

• विधानतः (vidhānataḥ): according to rule/ritual prescription.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s dharma-teaching frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Vipra (Brahmin)
• Kapilā (tawny cow)

Tags

• Dāna
• Gṛhastha-dharma
• Ritual procedure
• Merit (Puṇya)
• Matsya Purana Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on dharma—specifically, the proper method of charitable giving (dāna) to a Brahmin.

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

It teaches gṛhastha/royal duty to honor learned Brahmins respectfully before giving, and to donate according to capacity—especially the meritorious gift of a kapilā cow—following prescribed ritual norms.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is in “vidhānataḥ”: gifts should be made according to proper procedure—honoring the recipient with items like garments/garlands/ornaments and offering the cow suitably adorned.