Shloka 15

Matsya Purana — The Sarasvata Vrata: Vow for Sweet Speech

Devanagari script

तथोपदेष्टारमपि भक्त्या सम्पूजयेद्गुरुम् वित्तशाठ्येन रहितो वस्त्रमाल्यानुलेपनैः //

Transliteration

tathopadeṣṭāramapi bhaktyā sampūjayedgurum vittaśāṭhyena rahito vastramālyānulepanaiḥ //

Translation

Likewise, one should devoutly honour and worship the guru—one’s instructor as well—free from deceit regarding wealth, offering garments, garlands, and unguents.

Word by Word

• tathā: likewise/so

• upadeṣṭāram api: even the instructor/teacher

• bhaktyā: with devotion

• sampūjayet: should worship/fully honour

• gurum: the guru

• vitta-śāṭhyena: with fraud/deceit concerning wealth (miserliness under pretense)

• rahitaḥ: devoid/free

• vastra: garments/cloth

• mālya: garlands

• anulepanaiḥ: with unguents/anointing substances (sandal paste, perfumes)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Guru (Upadeṣṭā)

Tags

• Dharma
• Guru-seva
• Sadachara
• Dana
• Ritual

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on dharma—proper conduct in honouring one’s guru with sincere devotion and truthful giving.

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

It instructs ethical discipline: a householder (and by extension a king) should support and honour teachers without financial deceit, offering respectful worship materials—an ideal of integrity and patronage of learning.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies standard pūjā-upacāras—cloth, garlands, and anointing (sandal/perfumes)—and stresses that offerings must be made without hypocrisy or miserly deception.