Shloka 22

Matsya Purana — The Nakṣatra-Puruṣa Vrata: Worship of Viṣṇu’s Cosmic Body through the Lunar M...

Devanagari script

जलस्य पूर्णे कलशे निविष्टाम् अर्चां हरेर्वस्त्रगवा सहैव शय्यां तथोपस्करभाजनादियुक्तां प्रदद्याद्द्विजपुंगवाय //

Transliteration

jalasya pūrṇe kalaśe niviṣṭām arcāṃ harervastragavā sahaiva śayyāṃ tathopaskarabhājanādiyuktāṃ pradadyāddvijapuṃgavāya //

Translation

One should present to an eminent Brāhmaṇa a water-filled pot (kalaśa) in which an image for the worship of Hari has been placed, along with garments and a cow; and also a bed (śayyā) furnished with its accessories, together with vessels and other household requisites.

Word by Word

• jalasya: of water

• pūrṇe: filled/full

• kalaśe: in a pot/pitcher (kalaśa)

• niviṣṭām: placed/installed

• arcām: an image/arcā (worship-icon)

• hareḥ: of Hari (Viṣṇu)

• vastra: garments/cloth

• gavā: with a cow

• sahaiva: together/indeed along with

• śayyām: a bed/couch

• tathā: also

• upaskara: furnishings/implements

• bhājana: vessels/utensils

• ādi: and the like

• yuktām: furnished/combined with

• pradadyāt: one should give/present

• dvija-puṃgavāya: to a foremost brāhmaṇa (literally “bull among the twice-born”).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu on dharma (probable didactic frame in the Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Hari
• Dvija (Brāhmaṇa)
• Kalaśa
• Arcā (worship-icon)

Tags

• Dāna
• Ritual charity
• Hari worship
• Icon (arcā)
• Householder dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on dāna (ritual gifting), prescribing how worship-related items and household necessities should be donated.

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

It frames a householder/kingly duty of dharma: honoring learned brāhmaṇas through structured gifts—devotional items for Hari’s worship plus practical supports (cow, clothing, bed, utensils)—so charity sustains both religion and livelihood.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies a Viṣṇu arcā placed in a water-filled kalaśa and donated with complete upaskara (furnishings) and bhājanas (vessels), indicating a “complete set” offering used in formal worship and consecratory-style gifting.