Shloka 8

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

Devanagari script

व्रतान्ते शयनं दद्यात् सुवर्णकमलान्वितम् गां च दद्यात्स्वशक्त्या तु सुवर्णाढ्यां पयस्विनीम् //

Transliteration

vratānte śayanaṃ dadyāt suvarṇakamalānvitam gāṃ ca dadyātsvaśaktyā tu suvarṇāḍhyāṃ payasvinīm //

Translation

At the conclusion of the vow (vrata), one should donate a bed furnished with a golden lotus. And, according to one’s means, one should also give a milch cow adorned with gold.

Word by Word

• vrata-ante: at the end of the vow

• śayanam: a bed, couch (ritual gift)

• dadyāt: should give/donate

• suvarṇa: gold

• kamala-anvitam: furnished/adorned with a lotus (kamala), i.e., with a golden lotus decoration

• gām: a cow

• ca: and

• dadyāt: should give

• sva-śaktyā: according to one’s own capacity/means

• tu: indeed

• suvarṇa-āḍhyām: enriched/adorned with gold

• payasvinīm: yielding milk, a milch cow.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) conveying the Matsya Purana’s vrata-dāna injunctions

Entities Mentioned

• Vrata (vow)
• Dāna (charitable gifting)
• Śayana (ritual bed-gift)
• Gauḥ (cow)

Tags

• Vrata
• Dana
• Ritual Gifts
• Householder Dharma
• Punya

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on dharmic practice—how to conclude a religious vow through prescribed gifts (dāna) to accrue merit (puṇya).

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

It sets a householder-style dharma norm: after completing a vrata, one should formalize the conclusion with charity—donating a bed and, as one’s resources allow, a milch cow adorned with gold—emphasizing generosity proportionate to capacity (svaśaktyā).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it describes vrata-samāpti dāna: gifting a “śayana” (bed) embellished with a golden lotus and a “payasvinī” cow. The items are symbolic, high-merit gifts used in Purāṇic ritual economy rather than temple architecture rules.