Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — The Procedure and Merit of the Śubha-Saptamī Vrata

Devanagari script

अथ कृत्वा तिलप्रस्थं ताम्रपात्रेण संयुतम् काञ्चनं वृषभं तद्वद् गन्धमाल्यगुडान्वितैः //

Transliteration

atha kṛtvā tilaprasthaṃ tāmrapātreṇa saṃyutam kāñcanaṃ vṛṣabhaṃ tadvad gandhamālyaguḍānvitaiḥ //

Translation

Then, having prepared a prastha-measure of sesame and placing it in a copper vessel, one should likewise offer a golden bull, accompanied by fragrance, garlands, and jaggery.

Word by Word

• atha: then

• kṛtvā: having made/prepared

• tila-prastham: a prastha-measure of sesame (tilas)

• tāmra-pātreṇa: with/in a copper vessel

• saṃyutam: joined/combined/provided (i.e., placed together)

• kāñcanam: golden

• vṛṣabham: bull

• tadvad: likewise/in the same manner

• gandha: perfumes/fragrance

• mālya: garlands

• guḍa: jaggery/molasses

• anvitaiḥ: accompanied by/endowed with

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Tiladāna
• Vṛṣabha (bull)
• Tāmrapātra (copper vessel)

Tags

• Dāna
• Tiladāna
• Ritual gifts
• Householder Dharma
• Punya (merit)

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it prescribes meritorious ritual charity (dāna), specifically sesame-gift and an associated symbolic offering.

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

It frames a householder/kingly duty of dharma through dāna: offering sesame in a copper vessel and supplementing it with valuable, auspicious items (like a golden bull, perfume, garlands, and jaggery) to accrue religious merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual detail is the specified measure (prastha) and proper receptacle (copper vessel), plus auspicious accompaniments—showing procedural precision in Purāṇic dāna rites rather than temple architecture.