Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — The Ārdrānandakarī Tṛtīyā Vrata: Ritual Procedure

Devanagari script

चत्वारि घृतपात्राणि सहिरण्यानि शक्तितः दत्त्वा द्विजाय करकम् उदकान्नसमन्वितम् प्रतिपक्षं चतुर्मासं यावदेतन्निवेदयेत् //

Transliteration

catvāri ghṛtapātrāṇi sahiraṇyāni śaktitaḥ dattvā dvijāya karakam udakānnasamanvitam pratipakṣaṃ caturmāsaṃ yāvadetannivedayet //

Translation

Having given, according to one’s means, four vessels of ghee together with gold to a twice-born (brāhmaṇa), one should also present a water-pot (karaka) along with water and food, and continue offering this every fortnight throughout the four-month season, for as long as this observance is maintained.

Word by Word

• चत्वारि: four

• घृतपात्राणि: vessels/pots of ghee

• सहिरण्यानि: together with gold

• शक्तितः: according to one’s capacity

• दत्त्वा: having given

• द्विजाय: to a twice-born (brāhmaṇa)

• करकम्: a water-pot (karaka)

• उदक: water

• अन्न: food

• समन्वितम्: accompanied with/along with

• प्रतिपक्षम्: every fortnight

• चतुर्मासम्: during the four-month period (Cāturmāsya)

• यावत्: as long as/until

• एतत्: this (observance)

• निवेदयेत्: should offer/present.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Dwijas (Brahmanas)
• Caturmasya

Tags

• Dana
• Caturmasya
• Ritual gifting
• Householder dharma
• Punya

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on dharma through regulated charity (dāna) and periodic offerings during the four-month Cāturmāsya season.

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

It prescribes a disciplined pattern of giving—ghee, gold, and sustained support with water and food—showing the householder/kingly duty to maintain social-religious welfare through regular, capacity-based donations to learned twice-born recipients.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the Cāturmāsya-linked, fortnightly (pratipakṣa) offering regimen, emphasizing continuity and purity of provisions (ghee, water, food) as a structured observance rather than any Vāstu or temple-construction rule.