Shloka 110

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

अन्नदानं यथाशक्त्या कर्तव्यं भूतिमिच्छता अन्नहीनः कृतो यस्माद् दुर्भिक्षफलदो भवेत् //

Transliteration

annadānaṃ yathāśaktyā kartavyaṃ bhūtimicchatā annahīnaḥ kṛto yasmād durbhikṣaphalado bhavet //

Translation

One who desires prosperity should give food (annadāna) according to one’s capacity; for if one makes others deprived of food, it yields the bitter fruit of famine.

Word by Word

• anna-dānam: gift of food

• yathā-śaktyā: according to one’s ability

• kartavyam: should be done/ought to be performed

• bhūtim: prosperity, well-being

• icchatā: by one who desires

• anna-hīnaḥ: deprived of food, foodless

• kṛtaḥ: made (to be), caused

• yasmāt: because/since

• durbhikṣa: famine, scarcity

• phala-daḥ: giving as a result, yielding fruit

• bhavet: becomes, results

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Anna-dāna
• Durbhikṣa (famine)

Tags

• Dharma
• Dāna
• Householder Duties
• Ethics
• Karma-phala

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it teaches karma-phala in social ethics—food-giving sustains well-being, while causing food-deprivation leads to famine as a consequence.

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

It frames anna-dāna as a core duty: a householder (and by extension a ruler responsible for public welfare) should ensure food-support according to means; harming food security brings adverse communal outcomes symbolized as durbhikṣa.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is the primacy of anna-dāna as a meritorious act within dāna-dharma.