Shloka 25

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

Devanagari script

होमः शुक्लतिलैः कार्यः कामनामानि कीर्तयेत् गव्येन हविषा तद्वत् पायसेन च धर्मवित् //

Transliteration

homaḥ śuklatilaiḥ kāryaḥ kāmanāmāni kīrtayet gavyena haviṣā tadvat pāyasena ca dharmavit //

Translation

A fire-offering should be performed with white sesame seeds, while reciting the names of the desired aims. In the same manner, the knower of dharma may offer oblations prepared from cow’s produce, and likewise with pāyasa (rice cooked in milk).

Word by Word

• होमः (homaḥ): fire-offering, oblation

• शुक्ल-तिलैः (śukla-tilaiḥ): with white sesame seeds

• कार्यः (kāryaḥ): should be performed

• काम-नामानि (kāma-nāmāni): the names of desired wishes/objects of desire

• कीर्तयेत् (kīrtayet): should recite, should proclaim

• गव्येन (gavyena): with that which comes from the cow (milk, ghee, etc.)

• हविषा (haviṣā): with oblation-substance, sacrificial offering

• तद्वत् (tadvat): in that same way

• पायसेन (pāyasena): with pāyasa, sweet rice cooked in milk

• च (ca): and

• धर्मवित् (dharmavit): one who knows dharma, a righteous practitioner

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, ritual-dharma context)

Entities Mentioned

• White sesame (śukla-tila)
• Cow-derived havis (gavya)
• Pāyasa

Tags

• Homa
• Kāmya rites
• Gṛhastha Dharma
• Ritual offerings
• Mantra/saṅkalpa

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it gives ritual-dharma guidance for kāmya-homa—offerings (white sesame, cow-derived havis, pāyasa) made with intention by reciting the names of desired aims.

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

It aligns with gṛhastha/royal dharma by prescribing a lawful method of pursuing legitimate aims (kāma) through regulated sacrifice: perform homa with proper substances and an explicit verbal intention (reciting the desired names), rather than through adharmic means.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies acceptable havis materials for a desire-oriented homa—white sesame, cow-based offerings (notably ghee/milk products), and pāyasa—highlighting purity and correct saṅkalpa (stated intent) as key elements of the rite.