Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — The Rite of the Vibhūti-Dvādaśī Vow

Devanagari script

ग्रामं च शक्तिमान्दद्यात् क्षेत्रं वा भवनान्वितम् गुरुं सम्पूज्य विधिवद् वस्त्रालंकारभूषणैः //

Transliteration

grāmaṃ ca śaktimāndadyāt kṣetraṃ vā bhavanānvitam guruṃ sampūjya vidhivad vastrālaṃkārabhūṣaṇaiḥ //

Translation

A capable man should give in charity even a village, or a tract of land furnished with a dwelling; and, having duly honoured the guru according to proper rite, he should worship him with garments, ornaments, and jewellery.

Word by Word

• ग्रामम् (grāmam): a village

• च (ca): and

• शक्तिमान् (śaktimān): one who is able/capable

• दद्यात् (dadyāt): should give (as a gift)

• क्षेत्रम् (kṣetram): a field/land

• वा (vā): or

• भवनान्वितम् (bhavanānvitam): endowed with a house/dwelling

• गुरुम् (gurum): the teacher/guru

• सम्पूज्य (sampūjya): having fully honoured/worshipped

• विधिवत् (vidhivat): according to rule/ritual procedure

• वस्त्र (vastra): garments

• अलंकार (alaṃkāra): ornaments/adornments

• भूषणैः (bhūṣaṇaiḥ): with jewellery/ornaments (instrumental plural).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Guru

Tags

• Dāna
• Guru-sevā
• Householder Dharma
• Merit (Puṇya)
• Matsya Purana ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on dharma—specifically the meritorious practice of dāna (gifting) and the proper honouring of one’s guru.

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

It presents an ideal of high-value charity: those with means should donate substantial assets like land (even a village) or a homestead, and uphold social-religious duty by ritually honouring and supporting the guru—an ethic applicable to kings, patrons, and householders.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is “vidhivat” (according to prescribed procedure) in guru-pūjā; architecturally, it implies gifting property “bhavanānvitam”—land complete with a dwelling—highlighting endowment of built space as a form of religious merit.