Shloka 32

Matsya Purana — The Maheshvara Vow: Śiva-Caturdaśī Vrata

Devanagari script

गुरौ सति गुरोर्देयं तदभावे द्विजातये न वित्तशाठ्यं कुर्वीत कुर्वन्दोषात्पतत्यधः //

Transliteration

gurau sati gurordeyaṃ tadabhāve dvijātaye na vittaśāṭhyaṃ kurvīta kurvandoṣātpatatyadhaḥ //

Translation

When the guru is alive, the gift should be given to the guru; in his absence, it should be given to a dvijāti, a qualified brāhmaṇa. One should not practice deceit regarding wealth; whoever does so falls downward because of that fault.

Word by Word

• gurau: when the guru (spiritual teacher) is present/alive

• sati: being (existing)

• guroḥ: to the guru

• deyaṃ: should be given (is to be offered as a gift)

• tad-abhāve: in his absence

• dvijātaye: to a dvija, a twice-born (ritually initiated brāhmaṇa)

• na: not

• vitta-śāṭhyam: deceit/cheating in wealth (miserly fraud, concealing or falsifying one’s means)

• kurvīta: one should do/practice

• kurvan: doing (if one does)

• doṣāt: due to the fault/sin

• patati: falls

• adhaḥ: downward (to a lower state/hellish downfall).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Guru
• Dvija (twice-born Brahmin)

Tags

• Dharma
• Dana
• Guru
• Ethics
• Householder duties

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it teaches dharma—specifically, the rightful recipient of gifts and the karmic danger of deceit in matters of wealth.

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

It sets a clear rule of patronage and support: honor the living guru with gifts; if the guru is unavailable, support qualified twice-born priests/scholars. It also warns rulers and householders that financial fraud and stinginess disguised as piety lead to moral and karmic decline.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is about dāna-dharma—properly directing offerings and maintaining honesty so that religious giving remains valid and meritorious.