Shloka 20

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

Devanagari script

विप्राय दत्त्वा भुञ्जीत वाग्यतस्तैलवर्जितम् अन्यान्यपि यथाशक्त्या भोजयेच्छक्तितो द्विजान् //

Transliteration

viprāya dattvā bhuñjīta vāgyatastailavarjitam anyānyapi yathāśaktyā bhojayecchaktito dvijān //

Translation

After first offering food to a brāhmaṇa, one should then eat in silence and without oil; and, according to one’s ability, one should also feed other twice-born (dvija) persons as far as one’s means allow.

Word by Word

• viprāya: to a brāhmaṇa (learned priest)

• dattvā: having given/offered

• bhuñjīta: one should eat

• vāg-yataḥ: with speech restrained, in silence

• taila-varjitam: devoid of oil (oil-free)

• anyāni api: others also (other persons)

• yathā-śaktyā: according to one’s capacity

• bhojayet: one should feed

• śaktitaḥ: to the extent of one’s means

• dvijān: the twice-born (brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Vipra
• Dvija

Tags

• Dharma
• Dana
• Bhojana-vidhi
• Brahmana-seva
• Vrata

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on dharma—proper conduct around eating, charity, and honoring brāhmaṇas.

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

It prescribes a householder/kingly ethic of dana and hospitality: offer food first to a brāhmaṇa, practice self-restraint (silence), and support other dvijas according to one’s resources—an ideal of disciplined consumption and social-religious responsibility.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the bhojana-vidhi: prioritizing feeding brāhmaṇas and observing restraint (vāgyata) and simplicity (taila-varjita) as part of vrata-like purity and disciplined living.