Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — The Kalyāṇa-Saptamī

Devanagari script

भुक्त्वा च वेदविदुषे बिडालव्रतवर्जिते घृतपात्रं सकनकं सोदकुम्भं निवेदयेत् //

Transliteration

bhuktvā ca vedaviduṣe biḍālavratavarjite ghṛtapātraṃ sakanakaṃ sodakumbhaṃ nivedayet //

Translation

After eating, one should present to a Veda-knowing learned man—free from the “cat-like vow” (biḍāla-vrata, hypocritical conduct)—a vessel of ghee (ghṛta) together with gold, and a water-pot filled with water.

Word by Word

• bhuktvā: having eaten/after the meal

• ca: and

• veda-viduṣe: to a knower of the Veda (learned Brāhmaṇa)

• biḍāla-vrata-varjite: to one devoid of biḍāla-vrata, i.e., cat-like hypocrisy/secretive predation while appearing restrained

• ghṛta-pātram: a vessel/bowl of clarified butter (ghee)

• sa-kanakam: together with gold

• sa-udaka-kumbham: along with a water-jar/pitcher containing water

• nivedayet: one should offer/present (as a gift).

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu) in the ongoing instructional discourse of the Matsya Purana

Entities Mentioned

• Veda
• Brāhmaṇa (Veda-knower)

Tags

• Dāna
• Dharma
• Brāhmaṇa
• Ritual gifts
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on dharma through post-meal gifting (dāna) to a worthy Veda-knower, emphasizing purity of recipient and intention.

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

It frames a householder’s (and by extension a king’s) duty to support genuine Vedic learning through appropriate gifts—ghee, gold, and water—while carefully selecting a recipient who is not hypocritical (biḍālavrata-varjita).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the prescribed dāna sequence after eating: offering a ghee vessel with gold and a water-filled pot, highlighting standard purāṇic gift-items used in rites rather than any Vāstu/architecture rule.