Shloka 32

Matsya Purana — The Gods Seek Śiva’s Refuge: The Cosmic Chariot Prepared for the Burning of T...

Devanagari script

अन्नदानपुरोगाणि यानि दानानि कानिचित् तान्यासन्वाजिनां तेषां भूषणानि सहस्रशः //

Transliteration

annadānapurogāṇi yāni dānāni kānicit tānyāsanvājināṃ teṣāṃ bhūṣaṇāni sahasraśaḥ //

Translation

Whatever gifts are made with food-giving placed foremost—those very gifts become, for the donors, ornaments of merit in the thousands, that is, countless adornments.

Word by Word

• anna-dāna: gift of food

• purogāṇi: placed in front/foremost

• yāni: whatever/which

• dānāni: gifts/charitable offerings

• kānicit: any/whatsoever

• tāni: those

• āsan: become/turn into

• vājinām: of those who possess (merit/strength

• lit. ‘vigorous/possessing’—here: the donors)

• teṣām: for them/of them

• bhūṣaṇāni: ornaments/adornments

• sahasraśaḥ: by the thousand, innumerably.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu on dāna-dharma)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Dana
• Anna-dana
• Dharma
• Punya
• Householder duties

FAQs

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

It does not address pralaya directly; it teaches that food-giving and related charities generate enduring merit, poetically described as “ornaments” accruing to the donor.

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

It elevates anna-dāna as a primary duty: rulers and householders should prioritize feeding others (guests, the needy, dependents), viewing such giving as the highest, most fruitful form of dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vāstu or temple-construction rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is that donations, especially food offerings, are treated as meritorious acts that “adorn” the giver with spiritual credit.