Shloka 15

Matsya Purana — The Ārdrānandakarī Tṛtīyā Vrata: Ritual Procedure

Devanagari script

ततस्तु चतुरो मासान् पूर्ववत्करकोपरि चत्वारि सक्तुपात्राणि तिलपात्राण्यतः परम् //

Transliteration

tatastu caturo māsān pūrvavatkarakopari catvāri saktupātrāṇi tilapātrāṇyataḥ param //

Translation

Then, for four months, in the same manner as before, upon the water-pot (karaka) one should place four bowls of roasted barley-flour (saktu); and after that, bowls filled with sesame (tila).

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• tu: indeed/and

• caturo māsān: four months

• pūrvavat: as previously prescribed/in the same way

• karaka-upari (karakopari): upon the karaka (water-pot)

• catvāri: four

• saktu-pātrāṇi: vessels/bowls containing saktu (roasted grain flour)

• tila-pātrāṇi: vessels/bowls containing tila (sesame seeds)

• ataḥ param: thereafter/after this/next in sequence

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the prescribed dāna/vrata procedure as taught in the Matsya Purana tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Karaka (water-pot)
• Saktu
• Tila

Tags

• Dāna
• Vrata
• Ritual Procedure
• Saktu-dāna
• Tila-dāna

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it belongs to dāna/vrata procedure, prescribing a timed sequence of offerings (saktu and tila) placed on a karaka over four months.

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

It reflects the householder’s dharma: sustained, orderly charity and observance over months—offering staple foods (grain flour and sesame) in a regulated ritual sequence to support merit (puṇya) and social-religious responsibility.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies correct placement: bowls are arranged ‘upon the karaka’ (a water-pot used as a ritual base), emphasizing procedural precision in offerings—an important feature of Purāṇic rite-performance.