Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — The Ārdrānandakarī Tṛtīyā Vrata: Ritual Procedure

Devanagari script

संवत्सरान्ते लवणं गुडकुम्भं च सर्जिकाम् चन्दनं नेत्रपट्टं च सहिरण्याम्बुजेन तु //

Transliteration

saṃvatsarānte lavaṇaṃ guḍakumbhaṃ ca sarjikām candanaṃ netrapaṭṭaṃ ca sahiraṇyāmbujena tu //

Translation

At the end of the year, one should give salt, a jar filled with jaggery, alkaline salt (sarjikā), sandalwood, and a cloth for covering the eyes—together with gold and a lotus (offering).

Word by Word

• saṃvatsara-ante: at the end of the year

• lavaṇam: salt

• guḍa-kumbham: a pot/jar of jaggery (molasses)

• ca: and

• sarjikām: sarjikā (alkaline salt/soda-like mineral used for cleansing/ritual)

• candanam: sandalwood

• netra-paṭṭam: eye-cloth/eye-band (a cloth for covering/protecting the eyes)

• ca: and

• sa-hiraṇya: along with gold

• ambujena: with a lotus (lit. ‘water-born’)

• tu: indeed/also (emphatic particle)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• hiraṇya (gold)
• ambuja (lotus)

Tags

• Dāna
• Vrata
• Ritual Gifts
• Householder Dharma
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on dharma in the form of prescribed charitable gifts to be made at the completion of a yearly observance.

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

It reflects the householder/royal duty of dāna (charitable giving): concluding a yearly vow by donating practical and ritually valued items (salt, jaggery, cleansing alkali, sandalwood, cloth), enhanced by auspicious gifts like gold and a lotus.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (vrata/udhyāpana-style giving), not architectural: the items listed are standard purificatory and auspicious donations—cleansing agents (salt/sarjikā), fragrant sanctifiers (sandalwood), textiles (netrapaṭṭa), and prestige/merit enhancers (gold, lotus).