Shloka 33

Matsya Purana — Saubhagya-Śayana Vow: Lalitā/Gaurī–Śiva Worship

Devanagari script

प्राशने दानमन्त्रे च विशेषो ऽयं निबोध मे शृङ्गोदकं चैत्रमासे वैशाखे गोमयं पुनः //

Transliteration

prāśane dānamantre ca viśeṣo 'yaṃ nibodha me śṛṅgodakaṃ caitramāse vaiśākhe gomayaṃ punaḥ //

Translation

Learn from me this particular rule concerning prāśana (ritual consumption) and the mantras recited at the time of giving: in the month of Caitra one should use water taken from a cow’s horn (śṛṅgodaka), and in Vaiśākha one should use cow-dung (gomaya) as the prescribed purifying substance.

Word by Word

• प्राशने (prāśane): in ritual eating/consumption

• दानमन्त्रे (dānamantre): in the gift-mantra / mantra for donation

• च (ca): and

• विशेषः (viśeṣaḥ): special rule, particularity

• अयम् (ayam): this

• निबोध (nibodha): understand, learn

• मे (me): from me

• शृङ्गोदकम् (śṛṅgodakam): water kept/taken in a cow’s horn (horn-water)

• चैत्रमासे (caitramāse): in the month of Caitra

• वैशाखे (vaiśākhe): in the month of Vaiśākha

• गोमयम् (gomayam): cow-dung (purifying agent)

• पुनः (punaḥ): again, moreover

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu
• Caitra
• Vaiśākha
• Śṛṅgodaka
• Gomaya

Tags

• Dāna
• Vrata
• Ritual purity
• Prāśana
• Monthly observances

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on dharmic ritual procedure—month-specific purifying substances to be used during prāśana and while reciting gift-mantras.

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

It guides householders (and rulers as patrons of rites) to follow precise month-wise prescriptions when performing donations and associated mantras, emphasizing discipline, purity, and correct observance in dāna and daily dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes specific purifiers: śṛṅgodaka (horn-water) in Caitra and gomaya (cow-dung) in Vaiśākha—details relevant to purification protocols used in offerings, vows, and dāna procedures.