Shloka 50

Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds

Devanagari script

ततः सहस्रं विप्राणाम् अथवाष्टशतं तथा भोजनीयं यथाशक्ति पञ्चाशद्वाथ विंशतिः एवमेष पुराणेषु तडागविधिरुच्यते //

Transliteration

tataḥ sahasraṃ viprāṇām athavāṣṭaśataṃ tathā bhojanīyaṃ yathāśakti pañcāśadvātha viṃśatiḥ evameṣa purāṇeṣu taḍāgavidhirucyate //

Translation

Thereafter, one should feed a thousand Brahmanas—or else eight hundred—according to one’s capacity; or (if not possible) fifty, or even twenty. Thus is this procedure concerning a tank (taḍāga-vidhi) stated in the Purāṇas.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: thereafter/then

• sahasram: one thousand

• viprāṇām: of Brahmanas (learned priests)

• athavā: or else

• aṣṭaśatam: eight hundred

• tathā: likewise

• bhojanīyam: to be fed/should be given a meal

• yathā-śakti: according to one’s ability

• pañcāśat: fifty

• vā atha: or else/otherwise

• viṃśatiḥ: twenty

• evam: thus

• eṣaḥ: this

• purāṇeṣu: in the Purāṇas

• taḍāga-vidhiḥ: the rule/procedure regarding a pond/tank

• ucyate: is said/is taught.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for the Matsya Purana’s teaching dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Vipra (Brahmana)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Tadaga
• Dana
• Brahmana-bhojana
• Punya

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on dharmic merit connected with public water-works (building a tank) and the accompanying charitable feeding of Brahmanas.

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

It frames tank-building and charity as practical dharma: a ruler or householder should support public welfare (water resources) and perform vipra-bhojana, scaled to one’s means (yathāśakti), without abandoning the rite due to limited resources.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes the concluding charitable act for taḍāga-vidhi—feeding Brahmanas in graded numbers (1000/800/50/20), emphasizing that the merit-bearing observance can be completed at different economic capacities.