Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — The Rite of Gifting the ‘Silver Mountain’

Devanagari script

विष्कम्भशैलानृत्विग्भ्यः पूज्यवस्त्रविभूषणैः इमं मन्त्रं पठन्दद्याद् दर्भपाणिर्विमत्सरः //

Transliteration

viṣkambhaśailānṛtvigbhyaḥ pūjyavastravibhūṣaṇaiḥ imaṃ mantraṃ paṭhandadyād darbhapāṇirvimatsaraḥ //

Translation

With reverence, he should present (these offerings) to the officiating priests, together with worthy garments and ornaments, reciting this mantra, holding darbha-grass in his hand and free from envy.

Word by Word

• viṣkambhaśailān: (offerings called) ‘viṣkambha-śaila’ (ritual items/gifts, likely a named category in the rite)

• ṛtvigbhyaḥ: to the officiating priests

• pūjya: worthy of honor

• vastra: garments

• vibhūṣaṇaiḥ: with ornaments/adornments

• imam: this

• mantram: mantra

• paṭhan: while reciting

• dadyāt: should give

• darbha-pāṇiḥ: with darbha grass in hand

• vimatsaraḥ: without envy/jealousy, free from spite.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in dialogue instruction to Vaivasvata Manu; traditional frame for Matsya Purana teachings)

Entities Mentioned

• Ṛtvij (officiating priests)
• Darbha (sacred grass)
• Mantra (recitation)

Tags

• Ritual
• Dāna
• Mantra
• Priests
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on correct ritual conduct—how gifts should be offered to priests with mantra-recitation and a purified, non-envious disposition.

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

It presents a core dharma-duty: honoring ṛtviks through proper dāna (gifts) during rites, performed with humility (no envy) and ritual correctness (darbha in hand, mantra recited).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies the proper mode of offering—reciting a mantra while holding darbha grass, and giving respected items like garments and ornaments to the officiants.