Shloka 35

Matsya Purana — The Greatness and Procedure of the Aṅgāra

Devanagari script

समस्तयज्ञाय जितेन्द्रियाय पात्राय शीलान्वयसंयुताय दातव्यमेतत्सकलं द्विजाय कुटुम्बिने नैव तु दाम्भिकाय समर्पयेद्विप्रवराय भक्त्या कृताञ्जलिः पूर्वमुदीर्य मन्त्रम् //

Transliteration

samastayajñāya jitendriyāya pātrāya śīlānvayasaṃyutāya dātavyametatsakalaṃ dvijāya kuṭumbine naiva tu dāmbhikāya samarpayedvipravarāya bhaktyā kṛtāñjaliḥ pūrvamudīrya mantram //

Translation

One should give this entire offering to a twice-born Brahmin who is fit to receive—self-controlled, devoted to sacrificial duties, and endowed with good conduct and noble lineage—especially one who maintains a household; but never to a hypocrite. With devotion, having joined the palms, one should present it to an excellent Brahmin, first reciting the prescribed mantra.

Word by Word

• समस्त-यज्ञाय: devoted to all sacrificial rites / well-versed in yajñas

• जित-इन्द्रियाय: self-controlled, conqueror of the senses

• पात्राय: a worthy recipient, fit vessel

• शील-अन्वय-संयुताय: endowed with good character (śīla) and good family/lineage (anvaya)

• दातव्यम्: should be given

• एतत् सकलम्: this whole (gift/fee/portion)

• द्विजाय: to a twice-born (Brahmin)

• कुटुम्बिने: to a householder supporting a family

• नैव: never

• तु: but

• दाम्भिकाय: to a pretender, hypocrite

• समर्पयेत्: should offer/present

• विप्र-वराय: to an excellent Brahmin

• भक्त्या: with devotion

• कृत-अञ्जलिः: with palms joined in reverence

• पूर्वम्: first

• उदीर्य: having uttered/recited

• मन्त्रम्: the mantra.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s dharma teachings)

Entities Mentioned

• Vipra (Brahmin)
• Dāmbhika (hypocrite)
• Kuṭumbin (householder)

Tags

• Dāna
• Dharma
• Yajña
• Brahmin eligibility
• Mantra procedure

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on dharma in the form of dāna—how gifts should be offered and who is a worthy recipient.

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

It sets an ethical standard for patrons (including kings and householders): wealth meant for religious giving should go to a qualified, disciplined, reputable Brahmin—preferably a responsible householder—while hypocritical claimants must be avoided.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is procedural: the gift should be offered with devotion, joined palms (añjali), and prior recitation of the appropriate mantra—emphasizing correct rite (vidhi) and proper recipient (pātra).