Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — Ravi-Saṅkrānti Vow: Udyāpana

Devanagari script

संवत्सरान्ते घृतपायसेन संतर्प्य वह्निं द्विजपुंगवांश्च कुम्भान्पुनर्द्वादश धेनुयुक्तान् सरत्नहैरण्मयपद्मयुक्तान् //

Transliteration

saṃvatsarānte ghṛtapāyasena saṃtarpya vahniṃ dvijapuṃgavāṃśca kumbhānpunardvādaśa dhenuyuktān saratnahairaṇmayapadmayuktān //

Translation

At the end of the year, having satisfied the sacred fire and the foremost of the twice-born with rice-pudding cooked in ghee, one should then give twelve water-pots, each accompanied by a cow, and each furnished with a golden lotus and jewels.

Word by Word

• saṃvatsara-ante: at the end of the year

• ghṛta-pāyasena: with ghee-based rice-pudding (payasa)

• saṃtarpya: having satisfied/propitiated

• vahnim: the fire (Agni, sacrificial fire)

• dvija-puṃgavān: the best among the twice-born (excellent Brahmins)

• ca: and

• kumbhān: pots/jars (ritual vessels, water-pots)

• punar: then/furthermore

• dvādaśa: twelve

• dhenu-yuktān: accompanied by cows/with cows attached as gifts

• sa-ratna: with jewels

• hairaṇmaya: made of gold

• padma-yuktān: furnished with a lotus (lotus-ornament/emblem).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Agni (Vahni)
• Dvija (Brahmins)
• Dhenu (Cow)
• Kumbha (Ritual pot)
• Padma (Lotus)

Tags

• Dāna
• Vrata
• Homa
• Agni
• Go-dāna
• Brahmana-sevā
• Ritual gifts

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on year-end ritual merit through offerings to Agni and charitable gifts (dāna).

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

It prescribes a householder/kingly duty of dharma: honoring Agni and learned Brahmins with food offerings, then performing structured charity—twelve pots given with cows and auspicious emblems—reflecting righteous wealth redistribution.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies a year-end homa/feeding act using ghṛta-pāyasa and a formal dāna set: kumbhas (ritual pots) paired with cows and adorned with a golden lotus and jewels, indicating auspicious, high-status donation protocol.