Shloka 26

Matsya Purana — Vrata-Ṣaṣṭhī: The Sixty Sacred Vows

Devanagari script

तिलधेनुसमोपेतं समान्ते हेमपङ्कजम् शुद्धमष्टाङ्गुलं दद्याच् छिवलोके महीयते सामगाय ततश्चैतत् सामव्रतमिहोच्यते //

Transliteration

tiladhenusamopetaṃ samānte hemapaṅkajam śuddhamaṣṭāṅgulaṃ dadyāc chivaloke mahīyate sāmagāya tataścaitat sāmavratamihocyate //

Translation

Along with the gift of a “sesame-cow” (tiladhenu), at the conclusion of the observance one should also offer a pure golden lotus, eight aṅgulas in measure. Having done so, the chanter of the Sāma is honored in Śiva’s world; therefore this observance is here called the Sāma-vrata.

Word by Word

• tila-dhenu: a ritual ‘cow’ made/filled with sesame seeds given as a donation

• samopetam: accompanied by/along with

• samānte: at the end/conclusion (of the rite)

• hema-paṅkajam: golden lotus

• śuddham: pure/undefiled (ritually proper)

• aṣṭa-aṅgulam: eight aṅgulas (a traditional unit of measure)

• dadyāt: one should give (as a gift)

• śiva-loke: in Śiva’s world/realm

• mahīyate: is honored/is greatly esteemed

• sāma-gāya: for/unto the chanter of Sāman (Sāmavedic singer)

• tataḥ: therefore/then

• ca etat: and this (indeed)

• sāma-vratam: the vow/observance connected with Sāma (Sāmaveda)

• iha ucyate: is said/declared here (in this text).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, in the dāna/vow discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Śiva
• Sāmagā (Sāmavedic chanter)
• Tiladhenu (sesame-cow gift)
• Hema-paṅkaja (golden lotus)

Tags

• Dāna
• Vrata
• Sāmaveda
• Ritual Gifts
• Śivaloka

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on dāna (ritual gifting) connected to a Sāmavedic vow (Sāma-vrata) and the resulting merit in Śiva’s realm.

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

It frames a householder/kingly duty as patronage of Vedic specialists through correctly measured, ritually pure gifts (tiladhenu and a golden lotus), presenting charity as a dharmic means to gain spiritual merit and honor.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is precise prescription: the donor should give a pure golden lotus of eight aṅgulas at the rite’s conclusion, together with a tiladhenu—showing how Matsya Purana specifies measurements and accompaniments for effective vrata-related donations.