Shloka 9

Matsya Purana — The Rite and Glory of Meru-Dāna: The Tenfold ‘Gift of Meru’ and Mountain-Offe...

Devanagari script

शुक्लायां पञ्चदश्यां वा पुण्यर्क्षे वा विधानतः धान्यशैलादयो देया यथाशास्त्रं विजानता //

Transliteration

śuklāyāṃ pañcadaśyāṃ vā puṇyarkṣe vā vidhānataḥ dhānyaśailādayo deyā yathāśāstraṃ vijānatā //

Translation

On the fifteenth day of the bright fortnight (the full moon), or under an auspicious lunar mansion, one who knows the śāstric injunctions should, in the proper prescribed manner, bestow gifts such as the “mountain of grain” and other ordained donations.

Word by Word

• śuklāyām: in the bright fortnight

• pañcadaśyām: on the fifteenth lunar day (pūrṇimā)

• vā: or

• puṇya-ṛkṣe: under an auspicious nakṣatra (lunar mansion)

• vā: or

• vidhānataḥ: according to rule/proper procedure

• dhānya-śaila-ādayaḥ: the ‘grain-mountain’ donation and similar gifts

• deyāḥ: are to be given/should be donated

• yathā-śāstram: in accordance with scripture

• vijānatā: by one who knows/understands (the rules).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Nakshatra
• Purnima

Tags

• Dāna
• Pūrṇimā
• Nakṣatra
• Ritual timing
• Śāstra-vidhi

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it focuses on dharma in the form of regulated charitable giving, emphasizing auspicious times (pūrṇimā or favorable nakṣatras) rather than cosmology.

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

It instructs a disciplined giver—especially a householder or ruler responsible for public merit—to perform dāna at ritually powerful times and strictly according to śāstric procedure, reinforcing dharma through well-timed, rule-based generosity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is calendrical: gifts like dhānya-śaila (a symbolic ‘mountain of grain’) should be offered on pūrṇimā or under auspicious nakṣatras, highlighting the Matsya Purana’s stress on correct timing (muhūrta/nakṣatra) and vidhāna (proper rite).