Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

गन्धं धूपं ततो दद्याद् गीतं वाद्यं च कारयेत् तदभावे कथां कुर्यात् कामकेशवयोर्नरः //

Transliteration

gandhaṃ dhūpaṃ tato dadyād gītaṃ vādyaṃ ca kārayet tadabhāve kathāṃ kuryāt kāmakeśavayornaraḥ //

Translation

Then one should offer fragrance and incense, and have singing and instrumental music performed. If these are not available, a man should instead recite (or arrange the telling of) the sacred narrative of Kāma and Keśava.

Word by Word

• गन्धम् (gandham): fragrance, perfume

• धूपम् (dhūpam): incense, fumigation offering

• ततः (tataḥ): then, thereafter

• दद्याद् (dadyād): should give/offer

• गीतम् (gītam): singing, song

• वाद्यम् (vādyam): instrumental music

• च (ca): and

• कारयेत् (kārayet): should cause to be done/arrange

• तदभावे (tadabhāve): in the absence of that, if those are unavailable

• कथाम् (kathām): sacred story, religious discourse

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): should do/perform

• कामकेशवयोः (kāmakeśavayoḥ): of Kāma and Keśava

• नरः (naraḥ): a man, worshipper

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for early Matsya Purana dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Keśava (Vishnu)
• Kāma

Tags

• Puja
• Upachara
• Bhakti
• Katha
• Vaishnava ritual

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on practical worship (puja) steps and an alternative devotional act (kathā) when ritual items are lacking.

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

It frames worship as accessible: if a householder (or ruler) cannot provide full ceremonial offerings like music and incense, devotion can still be fulfilled through sacred recitation/discourse (kathā), emphasizing intention and continuity of dharmic practice.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it lists upacāras—fragrance, incense, singing, and instruments—and gives an approved substitute: performing kathā about Keśava (and Kāma), showing that narrative recitation is a valid component of worship when resources are limited.