Shloka 26

Matsya Purana — The Maheshvara Vow: Śiva-Caturdaśī Vrata

Devanagari script

पुनश्च कार्त्तिके मासे प्राप्ते संतर्पयेद्द्विजान् अन्नैर् नानाविधैर् भक्ष्यैर् वस्त्रमाल्यविभूषणैः //

Transliteration

punaśca kārttike māse prāpte saṃtarpayeddvijān annair nānāvidhair bhakṣyair vastramālyavibhūṣaṇaiḥ //

Translation

And again, when the month of Kārttika arrives, one should fully satisfy the dvija (the twice-born, i.e., Brāhmaṇas) with food of many kinds, with diverse edibles, and with gifts of garments, garlands, and ornaments.

Word by Word

• punas: again

• ca: and

• kārttike māse: in the month of Kārttika

• prāpte: when it has come/arrived

• saṃtarpayet: should gratify/satiate (by feeding and honoring)

• dvijān: the twice-born (especially Brāhmaṇas)

• annair: with cooked food/grain-based meals

• nānā-vidhaiḥ: of many varieties

• bhakṣyaiḥ: with eatables/dainties

• vastra: garments/cloth

• mālya: garlands/wreaths

• vibhūṣaṇaiḥ: ornaments/adornments (as gifts).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, typical Matsya Purana dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Kārttika
• Dvija (Brāhmaṇas)

Tags

• Kārttika Vrata
• Dāna
• Brāhmaṇa-bhojana
• Householder Dharma
• Ritual Merit

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it teaches dharma during Kārttika—gaining merit through feeding and honoring the twice-born with food and gifts.

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

It outlines a key householder/royal duty: annadāna and honoring Brāhmaṇas in Kārttika by providing meals and respectful gifts (clothing, garlands, ornaments), reflecting social and ritual responsibility.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the Kārttika-month observance of saṃtarpana—formal feeding and honoring of Brāhmaṇas—performed with offerings of food and auspicious gift-items, rather than any Vāstu/temple-building rule.