Shloka 15

Matsya Purana — The Aśūnyaśayana Vrata

Devanagari script

अव्यङ्गाङ्गाय विप्राय वैष्णवाय कुटुम्बिने दातव्या वेदविदुषे भावेनापतिताय च //

Transliteration

avyaṅgāṅgāya viprāya vaiṣṇavāya kuṭumbine dātavyā vedaviduṣe bhāvenāpatitāya ca //

Translation

One should give charity to a brāhmaṇa whose limbs are unimpaired, who is a Vaiṣṇava devoted to Viṣṇu, a householder, learned in the Vedas, and not fallen from right conduct—giving with sincere faith and reverence.

Word by Word

• avyaṅga-aṅgāya: to one whose limbs are not defective/maimed

• viprāya: to a brāhmaṇa

• vaiṣṇavāya: to a devotee of Viṣṇu

• kuṭumbine: to a householder (one supporting a family)

• dātavyā: should be given (charity is to be given)

• veda-viduṣe: to a knower of the Veda(s)

• bhāvena: with heartfelt intention/faith (inner disposition)

• apatitāya: to one not fallen (from dharma, not morally lapsed)

• ca: and

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, dāna-dharma context)

Entities Mentioned

• Viṣṇu (as implied by 'Vaiṣṇava')
• Brāhmaṇa
• Veda

Tags

• Dāna
• Dharma
• Vaiṣṇavism
• Vedic learning
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it focuses on dāna-dharma—how charity should be directed toward qualified recipients and offered with sincere intention.

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

It guides householders and rulers to practice righteous charity by selecting worthy recipients (learned, disciplined, Vaiṣṇava brāhmaṇas) and emphasizing inner faith (bhāva), aligning giving with dharma rather than mere display.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is the principle of qualified dāna—proper recipient-selection and faithful intention as key factors in the merit of giving.