Shloka 51

Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite

Devanagari script

गोभूहिरण्यवासांसि भव्यानि शयनानि च दद्याद्यदिष्टं विप्राणाम् आत्मनः पितुरेव च //

Transliteration

gobhūhiraṇyavāsāṃsi bhavyāni śayanāni ca dadyādyadiṣṭaṃ viprāṇām ātmanaḥ pitureva ca //

Translation

One should give to Brahmins cows, land, gold, garments, and fine beds—whatever is desired—doing so for one’s own welfare and also for the sake of one’s father (i.e., ancestral benefit).

Word by Word

• go: cows

• bhū: land/earth

• hiraṇya: gold/treasure

• vāsāṃsi: garments/clothes

• bhavyāni: excellent/auspicious/fine

• śayanāni: beds/couches

• ca: and

• dadyāt: one should give

• yadiṣṭam: whatever is desired/asked for

• viprāṇām: of/for Brahmins

• ātmanaḥ: for oneself/one’s own

• pituḥ: of the father

• eva: indeed/also

• ca: and

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Vipras (Brahmins)
• Pitṛ (father/ancestors)

Tags

• Dana
• Dharma
• Pitṛ-kārya
• Householder
• Punya

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on dharma through charitable giving (dāna) and the merit it generates.

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

It prescribes high-value gifts—cows, land, gold, clothing, and bedding—to worthy Brahmins, framing dāna as a core duty that supports social-religious order and brings benefit to the giver and their lineage.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is that properly directed dāna (especially to vipras) is presented as a meritorious act linked to personal welfare and pitṛ-related benefit.