Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Ravi-Saṅkrānti Vow: Udyāpana

Devanagari script

हैमीं च दद्यात्पृथिवीं सशेषाम् आकार्य रूप्यामथ वा च ताम्रीम् पैष्टीमशक्तः प्रतिमां विधाय सौवर्णसूर्येण समं प्रदद्यात् न वित्तशाठ्यं पुरुषो ऽत्र कुर्यात् कुर्वन्नधो याति न संशयो ऽत्र //

Transliteration

haimīṃ ca dadyātpṛthivīṃ saśeṣām ākārya rūpyāmatha vā ca tāmrīm paiṣṭīmaśaktaḥ pratimāṃ vidhāya sauvarṇasūryeṇa samaṃ pradadyāt na vittaśāṭhyaṃ puruṣo 'tra kuryāt kurvannadho yāti na saṃśayo 'tra //

Translation

One should give in charity a golden model of the earth complete with its appurtenances; or, having it made, one may give it in silver or else in copper. If unable, having fashioned a figure made of flour, one should give it, equal in rite and intent, together with a golden sun. In this matter a man should not practice deceit with wealth; for one who does so falls to a lower state—of this there is no doubt.

Word by Word

• haimīm: made of gold

• dadyāt: should give (as a gift)

• pṛthivīm: the earth (a model of the earth)

• saśeṣām: with what remains/with all accessories, complete with appurtenances

• ākārya: having caused to be made/commissioned

• rūpyām: made of silver

• atha vā: or else

• tāmrīm: made of copper

• paiṣṭīm: made of flour/dough

• aśaktaḥ: being unable (to do so)

• pratimām: an image/figure/model

• vidhāya: having fashioned/made

• sauvarṇa-sūryeṇa: with a golden sun

• samam: equivalent (in religious efficacy/rite)

• pradadyāt: should give

• na: not

• vitta-śāṭhyam: deceit/cheating regarding wealth

• puruṣaḥ: a person

• atra: here/in this matter

• kuryāt: should do

• kurvan: doing (so)

• adhaḥ: downward/to a lower realm or condition

• yāti: goes

• na saṃśayaḥ: there is no doubt

• atra: here/indeed.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu on dāna-dharma)

Entities Mentioned

• Pṛthivī (Earth, as a ritual model)
• Sūrya (Sun, as a golden emblem in the rite)

Tags

• Dāna
• Dharma
• Ritual Gifts
• Pratimā
• Ethics

FAQs

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

It does not describe pralaya directly; it uses cosmic symbols—Earth (pṛthivī) and Sun (sūrya)—as ritual emblems in a charity rite, emphasizing moral integrity rather than cosmology.

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

It prescribes graded forms of charitable giving (gold/silver/copper, or a flour model if poor) and insists that donors must not cheat in offerings; truthful charity is presented as a core duty, with deceit leading to spiritual decline.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse outlines a specific ritual donation involving crafted models (pratimā) of the Earth and a golden Sun, indicating how symbolic icons can substitute materially while preserving the intended rite—provided the donor avoids fraudulent intent.