Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — The Aśūnyaśayana Vrata

Devanagari script

ततः प्रभाते संजाते लक्ष्मीपतिसमन्विताम् दीपान्नभाजनैर्युक्तां शय्यां दद्याद्विलक्षणाम् //

Transliteration

tataḥ prabhāte saṃjāte lakṣmīpatisamanvitām dīpānnabhājanairyuktāṃ śayyāṃ dadyādvilakṣaṇām //

Translation

Then, when morning has come, one should present as a gift an exceptional bed—adorned with (the image of) Viṣṇu, the Lord of Lakṣmī, and furnished with lamps and vessels of food.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• prabhāte saṃjāte: when dawn has arisen/when morning has come

• lakṣmīpati-samanvitām: accompanied by/marked with Lakṣmī’s Lord (Viṣṇu), i.e., bearing his emblem or image

• dīpa: lamp

• anna: food

• bhājana: vessel/bowl

• dīpānna-bhājanaiḥ yuktām: furnished with lamps and food-vessels

• śayyām: bed/couch

• dadyāt: should give (as a donation)

• vilakṣaṇām: distinguished, special, excellent.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (likely ritual injunction context)

Entities Mentioned

• Lakṣmīpati (Viṣṇu)
• Lakṣmī

Tags

• Dāna
• Śayyā-dāna
• Ritual
• Householder Dharma
• Punya

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it prescribes a dharma-oriented donation rite (śayyā-dāna) to be performed at dawn, emphasizing meritorious giving rather than cosmology.

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

It frames charitable giving as a householder/royal duty: gifting a properly prepared bed along with practical supports (lamp and food vessels) reflects responsible dāna that provides comfort and sustenance, a key ethical theme in Purāṇic dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, the donation is time-specific (performed in the morning) and item-specific: the bed is to be ‘distinguished’ and associated with Viṣṇu (Lakṣmīpati), and accompanied by lamps and food vessels—details typical of Matsya Purana-style dāna vidhis.