Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — The Greatness and Procedure of the Sarva-Phala-Tyaga Vrata

Devanagari script

आम्रनिष्पावमधुकवटमुद्गपटोलकम् ताम्राणि षोडशैतानि कारयेच्छक्तितो नरः //

Transliteration

āmraniṣpāvamadhukavaṭamudgapaṭolakam tāmrāṇi ṣoḍaśaitāni kārayecchaktito naraḥ //

Translation

A man should, according to his means, have these sixteen copper implements/vessels made—(bearing the names or forms of) mango, niṣpāva (bean), madhūka, vaṭa (banyan), mudga (green gram), and paṭola (pointed gourd).

Word by Word

• आम्र (āmra): mango

• निष्पाव (niṣpāva): a kind of bean/pulse

• मधुक (madhuka): madhūka tree / liquorice-like sweet (commonly madhūka)

• वट (vaṭa): banyan tree

• मुद्ग (mudga): green gram

• पटोलक (paṭolaka): pointed gourd

• ताम्राणि (tāmrāṇi): copper objects/utensils

• षोडश (ṣoḍaśa): sixteen

• एतानि (etāni): these

• कारयेत् (kārayet): should cause to be made / should commission

• शक्तितः (śaktitaḥ): according to ability/means

• नरः (naraḥ): a person/man.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (context: Vastu/ritual prescriptions)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Ritual Implements
• Copper Utensils
• Temple Ritual
• Materials

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to the practical Vastu/ritual-material instructions, prescribing copper items to be commissioned.

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

It frames dharma as practical responsibility: a householder (or patron-king) should sponsor required ritual/temple implements, but only “according to his means” (śaktitaḥ), emphasizing proportional, non-excessive giving.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies a set of sixteen copper implements/vessels associated with particular plant-names/forms—typical of Vastu and ritual standardization where material (copper) and prescribed sets ensure correctness and auspiciousness in worship and consecration rites.