Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — Śarkarā-Saptamī Vrata: The Sugar Offering Rite to Savitṛ

Devanagari script

शर्करा तु परा तस्माद् इक्षुसारो ऽमृतात्मवान् इष्टा रवेरतः पुण्या शर्करा हव्यकव्ययोः //

Transliteration

śarkarā tu parā tasmād ikṣusāro 'mṛtātmavān iṣṭā raverataḥ puṇyā śarkarā havyakavyayoḥ //

Translation

Therefore sugar (śarkarā) is superior, for it is the nectar-like essence of sugarcane. It is dear to the Sun and is auspicious; and in both offerings to the gods (havis) and to the ancestors (kavya), sugar is considered meritorious.

Word by Word

• śarkarā: sugar, crystalline sugar

• tu: indeed, moreover

• parā: superior, excellent

• tasmāt: therefore, from that reason

• ikṣu-sāraḥ: the essence/juice-extract of sugarcane

• amṛta-ātmavān: of nectar-like nature, having the character of ambrosia

• iṣṭā: desired, beloved, approved

• raveḥ: of the Sun (Ravi)

• rataḥ: delighting in, pleasing to

• puṇyā: auspicious, merit-producing

• havyakavyayoḥ: in (the context of) havya and kavya—offerings to gods and to ancestors.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Ravi (Sun)

Tags

• Shraddha
• Havya-Kavya
• Ritual
• Dana
• Auspicious Substances

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on ritual purity and merit, praising sugar as an auspicious substance suitable for sacred offerings.

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

It guides householders (and kings supporting public rites) on proper substances for worship and Śrāddha: using sugar in offerings to gods and ancestors is presented as merit-producing and ritually appropriate.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights śarkarā (sugar) as a preferred, auspicious ingredient for both havya (deva offerings) and kavya (pitṛ offerings), emphasizing correct materials in ceremonial practice.