Shloka 35

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

Devanagari script

शक्तितः कपिलां दद्यात् प्रणम्य च विसर्जयेत् चरुं च पुत्रसहिता प्रणम्य रविशंकरौ //

Transliteration

śaktitaḥ kapilāṃ dadyāt praṇamya ca visarjayet caruṃ ca putrasahitā praṇamya raviśaṃkarau //

Translation

According to one’s capacity, one should donate a tawny cow (kapilā); having bowed, one should then respectfully dismiss (the rite/recipient). With one’s sons accompanying, one should also offer the caru (cooked oblation) and, bowing down, pay reverence to Ravi (Sūrya) and Śaṅkara (Śiva).

Word by Word

• śaktitaḥ: according to one’s ability

• kapilām: a tawny/brown cow

• dadyāt: should give/donate

• praṇamya: having bowed/saluted

• ca: and

• visarjayet: should dismiss/let depart (conclude the rite)

• carum: caru, cooked sacrificial offering/oblation

• ca: and

• putra-sahitā: together with (one’s) sons

• praṇamya: having bowed

• ravi-śaṅkarau: Ravi (the Sun) and Śaṅkara (Śiva) (dual)

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s vrata/dāna procedure, traditionally framed as Matsya’s instruction to Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Kapilā (tawny cow, dāna)
• Ravi (Sūrya)
• Śaṅkara (Śiva)
• Putra (sons)

Tags

• Dāna
• Vrata
• Gṛhastha-dharma
• Surya worship
• Shiva worship

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on dharma in the form of dāna (charitable gifting) and ritual worship, emphasizing proper conclusion of a rite and reverence to Sūrya and Śiva.

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

It presents gṛhastha-oriented dharma: giving charity within one’s means (śaktitaḥ), performing offerings (caru), involving one’s sons in pious acts, and formally concluding rites—principles equally applicable to kings as exemplars of public dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is explicit: kapilā-dāna (donation of a tawny cow), caru-offering (a cooked oblation used in Vedic-Puranic rites), and praṇāma to Ravi and Śaṅkara, indicating a combined Surya–Shiva devotional/ritual framework.