Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

श्रीफलाश्वत्थबदरं जम्बीरं कदलीफलम् काश्मरं दाडिमं शक्त्या कालधौतानि षोडश //

Transliteration

śrīphalāśvatthabadaraṃ jambīraṃ kadalīphalam kāśmaraṃ dāḍimaṃ śaktyā kāladhautāni ṣoḍaśa //

Translation

Coconut, the fruit of the aśvattha (sacred fig), jujube, citron, banana, kāśmara fruit, and pomegranate—according to one’s capacity—are to be offered as sixteen items, duly purified and prepared.

Word by Word

• śrīphala: coconut

• aśvattha: sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa)

• badara: jujube/ber fruit

• jambīra: citron (a citrus fruit)

• kadalī-phala: banana fruit

• kāśmara: kāśmara fruit (commonly identified with a regional fruit

• dāḍima: pomegranate

• śaktyā: according to ability/means

• kāla-dhautāni: cleansed/purified at the proper time (lit. ‘time-washed’—ritually prepared)

• ṣoḍaśa: sixteen (items/offerings).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Ritual offerings
• Upachara
• Temple worship
• Puranic procedure

FAQs

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

Nothing directly about pralaya; it focuses on practical ritual protocol—specifically listing fruits to be used among the sixteen offerings in worship.

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

It frames worship as scalable—offerings should be made “according to one’s capacity” (śaktyā), aligning householders and rulers with dharma through disciplined, feasible ritual giving rather than burdensome display.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it supports the ṣoḍaśopacāra (sixteenfold service) framework used in temple and domestic worship; the verse specifies acceptable fruit-offerings and emphasizes proper purification/preparation (kāladhautāni).