Shloka 36

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of the Vibhūti-Dvādaśī Vow: Pushkara

Devanagari script

कर्तव्याः शक्तितो देया विप्रेभ्यो दक्षिणानघ न वित्तशाठ्यं कुर्वीत भक्त्या तुष्यति केशवः //

Transliteration

kartavyāḥ śaktito deyā viprebhyo dakṣiṇānagha na vittaśāṭhyaṃ kurvīta bhaktyā tuṣyati keśavaḥ //

Translation

O sinless one, one should duly offer priestly fees (dakṣiṇā) to the Brahmins according to one’s capacity; one should not practice deceit regarding wealth—for Keśava is pleased by sincere devotion.

Word by Word

• कर्तव्याः: should be performed/are obligatory

• शक्तितः: according to one’s ability

• देयाः: should be given

• विप्रेभ्यः: to Brahmins/learned priests

• दक्षिणा: dakṣiṇā, honorarium/ritual fee

• अनघ: O sinless one

• न: not

• वित्त: wealth

• शाठ्यम्: deceit, fraud, miserliness born of trickery

• कुर्वीत: should do/practice

• भक्त्या: with devotion

• तुष्यति: is pleased/satisfied

• केशवः: Keśava (Lord Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya Purana’s Manu–Matsya dialogue framework)

Entities Mentioned

• Keśava
• Vipra (Brahmin)

Tags

• Dharma
• Dāna
• Dakṣiṇā
• Bhakti
• Householder Duties

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on dharma—proper giving (dakṣiṇā) and inner sincerity, emphasizing devotion over material display.

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

It teaches that a householder (and likewise a king as patron of rites) should support learned Brahmins through dakṣiṇā according to means, and must avoid dishonest withholding or deceptive accounting—true merit lies in faithful intent (bhakti).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it underscores dakṣiṇā as an essential completion element of yajña/ceremonies: offerings should match one’s capacity, and the act must be free from financial trickery to be spiritually efficacious.