Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — The Ravi-Śayana

Devanagari script

चतुर्दशे तु सम्प्राप्ते पारणे नारदाब्दिके ब्राह्मणान्भोजयेद्भक्त्या गुडक्षीरघृतादिभिः //

Transliteration

caturdaśe tu samprāpte pāraṇe nāradābdike brāhmaṇānbhojayedbhaktyā guḍakṣīraghṛtādibhiḥ //

Translation

When the fourteenth day arrives—at the time of pāraṇa, the breaking of the fast in the Nārada-year observance—one should, with devotion, feed the brāhmaṇas with jaggery, milk, ghee, and the like.

Word by Word

• चतुर्दशे: on the fourteenth (day)

• तु: indeed

• सम्प्राप्ते: having arrived/when it has come

• पारणे: at pāraṇa, the breaking of the fast

• नारदाब्दिके: in the Nārada-year observance (a vrata measured by a ‘Nārada’ yearly cycle)

• ब्राह्मणान्: brāhmaṇas

• भोजयेत्: should feed/should cause to eat

• भक्त्या: with devotion

• गुड: jaggery

• क्षीर: milk

• घृत: ghee/clarified butter

• आदिभिः: and other similar (food items)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Nārada
• Brāhmaṇas

Tags

• Vrata
• Pāraṇa
• Brāhmaṇa-bhojana
• Dharma
• Ritual

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on vrata-dharma—specifically the proper time and manner of pāraṇa and charitable feeding.

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

It prescribes a householder-style dharmic act: after completing a vow, one should break the fast correctly and honor brāhmaṇas with nourishing sāttvika foods (milk, ghee, jaggery), emphasizing devotion and generosity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): it sets a pāraṇa protocol—on the fourteenth day of a Nārada-year vow, feeding brāhmaṇas with specific auspicious foods is part of completing the observance.