Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — Rasakalyāṇinī Vrata: Magha-based Goddess Worship

Devanagari script

क्षीरं शाकं च दध्यन्नम् इण्डर्यो ऽशोकवर्तिकाः माघादिक्रमशो दद्याद् एतानि करकोपरि //

Transliteration

kṣīraṃ śākaṃ ca dadhyannam iṇḍaryo 'śokavartikāḥ māghādikramaśo dadyād etāni karakopari //

Translation

Beginning with the month of Māgha and proceeding in due order, one should offer milk, vegetables, rice mixed with curds (dadhyanna), iṇḍarya, and wicks (vartikā) made from the aśoka tree—placing these items upon a water-pot (karaka).

Word by Word

• क्षीरम् (kṣīram): milk

• शाकम् (śākam): vegetables/greens

• च (ca): and

• दध्यन्नम् (dadhyannam): food of rice mixed with curds (curd-rice)

• इण्डर्यः (iṇḍaryaḥ): a plant/vegetal offering known as iṇḍarya (identity uncertain

• अशोक-वर्तिकाः (aśoka-vartikāḥ): wicks made from aśoka (Saraca asoca) material

• माघ-आदि-क्रमशः (māghādi-kramaśaḥ): in sequence beginning from Māgha

• दद्यात् (dadyāt): should give/offer

• एतानि (etāni): these items

• करक-उपरि (karaka-upari): on/atop a karaka (water pot, ritual vessel).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Māgha (month)
• Karaka (ritual water-pot)
• Aśoka (tree)

Tags

• Vrata
• Dāna
• Monthly observance
• Ritual procedure
• Matsya Purana rituals

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on a dharma-oriented ritual schedule—specific offerings to be made month-by-month beginning in Māgha.

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

It prescribes orderly dāna/vrata conduct: a householder (and likewise a king as exemplar) should perform regulated monthly offerings using specified pure items, emphasizing discipline, charity, and ritual correctness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the use of a karaka (water-pot) as the placement/base for offerings, and the inclusion of aśoka-vartikā (aśoka wicks), indicating a lamp/rite component within a structured monthly observance.