Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

ताम्रपात्रे तिलप्रस्थं सौवर्णं वृषभं तथा दद्याद्वेदविदे सर्वं विश्वात्मा प्रीयतामिति //

Transliteration

tāmrapātre tilaprasthaṃ sauvarṇaṃ vṛṣabhaṃ tathā dadyādvedavide sarvaṃ viśvātmā prīyatāmiti //

Translation

Placing a prastha-measure of sesame in a copper vessel, and also a golden bull, one should give all of this to a knower of the Veda, (praying,) “May the Universal Self be pleased.”

Word by Word

• tāmra-pātre: in a copper vessel

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

• sauvarṇam: made of gold / golden

• vṛṣabham: a bull

• tathā: and likewise

• dadyāt: one should give (as a gift)

• veda-vide: to a knower of the Veda

• sarvam: all (of this)

• viśva-ātmā: the Universal Self (the all-pervading Lord)

• prīyatām: may (He) be pleased

• iti: thus (saying).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, dāna-vidhi context)

Entities Mentioned

• Viśvātmā (the Universal Self)
• Vedavid (Veda-knower)

Tags

• Dāna
• Gṛhastha-dharma
• Ritual procedure
• Sesame offering
• Merit (puṇya)

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it teaches dharma through dāna—ritual gifting intended to please the Viśvātmā (the all-pervading Lord) and generate merit.

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

It presents a gṛhastha/royal duty of charitable giving: offering measured sesame in a copper vessel along with a valuable gift (a golden bull) to a qualified Veda-knower, dedicating the act to divine satisfaction rather than personal gain.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): correct materials and measures matter—sesame (tila) measured as a prastha, placed in a copper vessel, and given with a devotional formula (“viśvātmā prīyatām”).