Shloka 31

Matsya Purana — Saptamī Sacred Bath and the Mṛtavatsābhiṣeka Rite for Pacifying Misfortune an...

Devanagari script

वस्त्रकाञ्चनरत्नौघैर् भक्ष्यैः सघृतपायसैः पूजयेद्ब्राह्मणांस्तद्वद् वित्तशाठ्यविवर्जितः //

Transliteration

vastrakāñcanaratnaughair bhakṣyaiḥ saghṛtapāyasaiḥ pūjayedbrāhmaṇāṃstadvad vittaśāṭhyavivarjitaḥ //

Translation

With heaps of garments, gold, and jewels—and with foods such as ghee and sweet rice (pāyasa)—one should honour the Brahmins, likewise remaining free from deceit or stinginess in one’s wealth.

Word by Word

• वस्त्र (vastra): garments/clothing

• काञ्चन (kāñcana): gold

• रत्न (ratna): jewels/gems

• ओघ (ogha): flood/heap/abundance

• वस्त्रकाञ्चनरत्नौघैः (vastrakāñcana-ratnaughaiḥ): with abundant gifts of clothes, gold, and gems

• भक्ष्यैः (bhakṣyaiḥ): with edible offerings/foods

• सघृत (sa-ghṛta): together with ghee

• पायसैः (pāyasaiḥ): with milk-rice/sweet rice (pāyasa)

• पूजयेत् (pūjayet): should honour/worship

• ब्राह्मणान् (brāhmaṇān): Brahmins

• तद्वत् (tadvat): likewise/in the same manner

• वित्त (vitta): wealth/resources

• शाठ्य (śāṭhya): deceit, trickery, miserly fraud

• विवर्जितः (vivarjitaḥ): free from/avoiding

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmins

Tags

• Dāna
• Dharma
• Householder
• Ritual hospitality
• Merit (Puṇya)

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on dharma through dāna—honouring Brahmins with sincere gifts and offerings.

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

It frames a core duty of householders (and kings as patrons): to support learned Brahmins through material gifts and nourishing hospitality, while avoiding financial deceit or miserly manipulation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is hospitality and pūjā through offerings—especially ghee and pāyasa—emphasizing that correct giving must be accompanied by honest intent, not merely external ritual display.