Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — Rite of Donating the ‘Sugar Mountain’

Devanagari script

भोजनं शक्तितः कुर्यात् सर्वशैलेष्वमत्सरः सर्वत्राक्षारलवणम् अश्नीयात्तदनुज्ञया पर्वतोपस्करान्सर्वान् प्रापयेद्ब्राह्मणालयम् //

Transliteration

bhojanaṃ śaktitaḥ kuryāt sarvaśaileṣvamatsaraḥ sarvatrākṣāralavaṇam aśnīyāttadanujñayā parvatopaskarānsarvān prāpayedbrāhmaṇālayam //

Translation

Let one take food according to one’s capacity, free from envy in all places and among all communities. Everywhere, with due permission, one should partake only of alkaline and salted fare; and all mountain-produced provisions and supplies should be conveyed to the dwelling-place of Brahmanas.

Word by Word

• भोजनम्: food, meal

• शक्तितः: according to one’s ability/capacity

• कुर्यात्: should do/should take

• सर्वशैलेषु: in all mountains/among all ‘śaila’ regions (i.e., everywhere)

• अमत्सरः: without envy, free from jealousy

• सर्वत्र: everywhere

• आक्षार-लवणम्: alkaline (kṣāra) and salted (lavaṇa) food/condiments

• अश्नीयात्: should eat

• तदनुज्ञया: with that permission/with due consent (of the host/authority)

• पर्वत-उपस्करान्: mountain goods, implements, supplies, provisions

• सर्वान्: all

• प्रापयेत्: should deliver/should cause to reach

• ब्राह्मण-आलयम्: the residence/abode of Brahmanas.

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s dharma instructions; framed as teachings ultimately attributed to Lord Matsya)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmanas

Tags

• Dharma
• Ahara
• Dana
• Brahmana-seva
• Niyama

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on day-to-day dharma—regulated eating, absence of envy, and charitable support of Brahmanas.

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

It teaches household/royal discipline: eat within one’s means, avoid jealousy in social dealings, follow rules of permission and propriety in consumption, and ensure resources are directed toward Brahmana welfare—an ideal of righteous governance and household charity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or temple-construction rule is stated; the ritual-ethical takeaway is niyama in food (āhāra) and dana—directing provisions to Brahmana residences as a meritorious support of sacred learning and rites.