Shloka 28

Matsya Purana — The Maheshvara Vow: Śiva-Caturdaśī Vrata

Devanagari script

मुक्ताफलाष्टकयुतं सितनेत्रपटावृताम् सर्वोपस्करसंयुक्तां शय्यां दद्यात् सकुम्भकाम् //

Transliteration

muktāphalāṣṭakayutaṃ sitanetrapaṭāvṛtām sarvopaskarasaṃyuktāṃ śayyāṃ dadyāt sakumbhakām //

Translation

According to one’s means, one should donate a bed furnished with eight pearls, covered with a white cloth as a bedspread, complete with all accessories, and accompanied by a water-pot (kumbha).

Word by Word

• muktāphala: pearl

• aṣṭaka-yutam: furnished with eight (in number)

• sita: white

• netra-paṭa-āvṛtām: covered with a cloth/spread (paṭa) as a covering

• sarva-upaskara-saṃyuktām: equipped with all furnishings/bed-articles

• śayyām: a bed/couch

• dadyāt: should give (as a gift)

• sa-kumbhakām: together with a water-pot (kumbha)

• (implied) yathā-śakti: according to one’s capacity.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu on dāna-dharma

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Kumbha (water-pot)
• Muktāphala (pearls)

Tags

• Dana Dharma
• Śayyā-dāna
• Householder Duties
• Ritual Gifts
• Merit (Puṇya)

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it teaches dāna-dharma—how a householder should perform meritorious charity through a properly furnished śayyā-dāna.

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

It prescribes an ideal form of charitable giving: the donor should provide not just the bed but the complete set of useful furnishings, suggesting responsible, welfare-oriented generosity expected of householders and rulers alike.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is in completeness and auspiciousness: a white covering, counted pearls (eight), and an accompanying kumbha indicate a formal, sanctified donation rather than a casual gift.