Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

विप्रेभ्यो भोजनं दद्याद् वित्तशाठ्यं विवर्जयेत् इक्षुदण्डानथो दद्यात् पुष्पमालाश् च शक्तितः //

Transliteration

viprebhyo bhojanaṃ dadyād vittaśāṭhyaṃ vivarjayet ikṣudaṇḍānatho dadyāt puṣpamālāś ca śaktitaḥ //

Translation

One should offer food to the Brahmins and avoid deceit or stinginess in matters of wealth. One should also give sugarcane-stalks and flower garlands, according to one’s capacity.

Word by Word

• विप्रेभ्यः (viprebhyaḥ): to Brahmins/learned priests

• भोजनम् (bhojanam): food, a meal

• दद्याद् (dadyād): one should give/offer

• वित्त-शाठ्यम् (vitta-śāṭhyam): dishonesty/miserliness regarding wealth

• विवर्जयेत् (vivarjayet): one should avoid

• इक्षु-दण्डान् (ikṣu-daṇḍān): sugarcane stalks/rods of sugarcane

• अथो (atho): moreover/and then

• दद्यात् (dadyāt): should give

• पुष्प-मालाः (puṣpa-mālāḥ): garlands of flowers

• च (ca): and

• शक्तितः (śaktitaḥ): according to ability/capacity.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, typical Adhyaya 1–10 dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Vipra (Brahmin)

Tags

• Dāna
• Dharma
• Hospitality
• Householder Duties
• Ritual Offerings

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it teaches dharma through dāna—feeding the learned and giving offerings honestly, according to one’s means.

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

It prescribes core householder/royal ethics: provide hospitality (especially food to vipras), avoid financial deceit or miserly conduct, and practice proportionate generosity—key virtues for social stability and religious merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights standard auspicious offerings—food, sugarcane, and flower garlands—commonly used in pūjā, hospitality rites, and merit-making gifts, reinforcing purity and goodwill before or alongside ceremonies.