Shloka 63

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

सर्वेषामथवा गावो दातव्या हेमभूषिताः सुवर्णमथवा दद्याद् गुरुर्वा येन तुष्यति समन्त्रेणैव दातव्याः सर्वाः सर्वत्र दक्षिणाः //

Transliteration

sarveṣāmathavā gāvo dātavyā hemabhūṣitāḥ suvarṇamathavā dadyād gururvā yena tuṣyati samantreṇaiva dātavyāḥ sarvāḥ sarvatra dakṣiṇāḥ //

Translation

Or else, for all rites, cows adorned with golden ornaments should be given; or one may give gold—whatever most satisfies the guru. In every case and everywhere, all dakṣiṇās are to be given only together with the prescribed mantras.

Word by Word

• सर्वेषाम् (sarveṣām): for all (rites/occasions)

• अथवा (athavā): or else

• गावः (gāvaḥ): cows

• दातव्याः (dātavyāḥ): should be given

• हेम-भूषिताः (hema-bhūṣitāḥ): adorned with gold ornaments

• सुवर्णम् (suvarṇam): gold

• अथवा (athavā): or

• दद्याद् (dadyād): one should give

• गुरुः (guruḥ): the guru/spiritual preceptor

• वा (vā): or

• येन (yena): by which/that which

• तुष्यति (tuṣyati): is pleased/satisfied

• समन्त्रेण एव (samantreṇa eva): only with mantras (i.e., with the proper ritual recitation)

• दातव्याः (dātavyāḥ): are to be given

• सर्वाः (sarvāḥ): all

• सर्वत्र (sarvatra): everywhere/in all contexts

• दक्षिणाः (dakṣiṇāḥ): dakṣiṇā, priestly fee/ritual honorarium

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Guru
• Dakṣiṇā
• Gāvaḥ (cows)
• Suvarṇa (gold)
• Mantra

Tags

• Dāna
• Dakṣiṇā
• Ritual
• Gṛhastha-dharma
• Guru-sevā

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on dharma in ritual practice—specifically the correct manner of giving dakṣiṇā (honoraria) and gifts.

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

It instructs that a patron (including a king or householder) should support rites through appropriate gifts—cows adorned with gold or gold itself—and ensure the guru/priest is duly satisfied, giving dakṣiṇā in the proper ritual manner.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is that dakṣiṇā must be offered “with mantra,” meaning the gift is integrated into the rite through prescribed recitations, not given as a casual payment.