Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — The Sarasvata Vrata: Vow for Sweet Speech

Devanagari script

समाप्ते तु व्रते कुर्याद् भोजनं शुक्लतण्डुलैः पूर्वं सवस्त्रयुग्मं च दद्याद्विप्राय भोजनम् //

Transliteration

samāpte tu vrate kuryād bhojanaṃ śuklataṇḍulaiḥ pūrvaṃ savastrayugmaṃ ca dadyādviprāya bhojanam //

Translation

When the vow is completed, one should prepare a meal with white rice; and first, together with a pair of garments, one should offer a Brahmin a meal.

Word by Word

• samāpte: on completion

• tu: indeed/then

• vrate: of the vow

• kuryāt: should do/arrange

• bhojanam: a meal/feeding

• śukla-taṇḍulaiḥ: with white rice-grains (clean, auspicious rice)

• pūrvam: first/beforehand

• sa-vastra-yugmam: along with a pair of garments

• ca: and

• dadyāt: should give/offer

• viprāya: to a Brahmin

• bhojanam: food/meal (feeding).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu on vrata procedure (contextual attribution for this instructional section)

Entities Mentioned

• Vipra (Brahmin)

Tags

• Vrata
• Udyapana
• Dana
• Brahmana-bhojana
• Ritual purity

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on dharma—specifically the proper concluding rite (udyāpana) of a vow through feeding and gifting.

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

It sets a householder-style dharma norm: after completing a vrata, one should perform charitable acts—feeding a Brahmin and giving clothing—signaling gratitude, ritual completion, and social-religious responsibility.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is udyāpana protocol: prepare an auspicious meal (white rice) and prioritize dana—food and a pair of garments—to a qualified Brahmin as the formal closure of the vow.