Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — The Madana-Dvādaśī Vow and the Birth of the Maruts

Devanagari script

नानाभक्ष्यसमोपेतं सहिरण्यं तु शक्तितः ताम्रपात्रं गुडोपेतं तस्योपरि निवेशयेत् //

Transliteration

nānābhakṣyasamopetaṃ sahiraṇyaṃ tu śaktitaḥ tāmrapātraṃ guḍopetaṃ tasyopari niveśayet //

Translation

One should prepare an offering furnished with various foods, and—according to one’s capacity—also with gold; then one should place a copper vessel containing jaggery (guda) upon it.

Word by Word

• नाना (nānā): various, many kinds

• भक्ष्य (bhakṣya): edible food, offerings fit to be eaten

• समोपेतम् (samopetam): endowed with, accompanied by

• सहिरण्यम् (sahiraṇyam): together with gold

• तु (tu): and/indeed

• शक्तितः (śaktitaḥ): according to ability, as one can afford

• ताम्रपात्रम् (tāmra-pātram): a copper vessel/bowl

• गुडोपेतम् (guḍopetam): accompanied with jaggery (containing jaggery)

• तस्य (tasya): of that, upon that

• उपरि (upari): on top/above

• निवेशयेत् (niveśayet): one should place/arrange.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, ritual-procedural discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Dana
• Naivedya
• Ritual procedure
• Householder dharma
• Offering materials

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it focuses on practical worship/charitable offering procedure, emphasizing orderly placement of offerings and proportional giving.

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

It teaches a core dharmic principle—offerings should be made with sincerity and “according to one’s capacity” (śaktitaḥ), combining food-offerings with optional precious gifts like gold, reflecting responsible household/royal patronage.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies the offering layout: a spread of foods, optionally with gold, and a copper vessel containing jaggery placed above—guidance for correct sequencing and placement in a worship setting.