Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī, Shloka 45

Devanagari script

एवं द्वादश तान्विप्रान् वस्त्रमाल्यानुलेपनैः पूजयेदङ्गुलीयैश्च कटकैर्हेमसूत्रकैः //

Transliteration

evaṃ dvādaśa tānviprān vastramālyānulepanaiḥ pūjayedaṅgulīyaiśca kaṭakairhemasūtrakaiḥ //

Translation

Demikianlah hendaklah dihormati kedua belas brāhmaṇa itu dengan pakaian, kalungan bunga, dan sapuan wangi-wangian; serta juga dengan cincin, gelang, dan benang emas (kalung/tali).

Word by Word

• evam: thus/in this manner

• dvādaśa: twelve

• tān: those

• viprān: brāhmaṇas/learned priests

• vastra: garments/cloth

• mālya: garlands

• anulepanaiḥ: with unguents/perfumed ointments

• pūjayet: should worship/should honour

• aṅgulīyaiḥ: with finger-rings

• ca: and

• kaṭakaiḥ: with bracelets/armlets

• hema: gold

• sūtrakaiḥ: with golden threads/cords (ornamental neck-thread/chain).

Speaker

• Traditionally Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) conveying the prescribed ritual procedure (within the Matsya Purana’s instructional discourse).

Entities Mentioned

• Brāhmaṇas (Vipras)

Tags

• Matsya Purana rituals
• Brāhmaṇa pūjā
• Dāna
• Vrata procedure
• Hindu gift-giving

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on dharmic ritual conduct—specifically the proper honouring of twelve brāhmaṇas through pūjā and gifts.

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

It prescribes a householder/kingly duty of brāhmaṇa-satkara (respectful worship of learned priests) through appropriate offerings—clothing, garlands, perfumes, and ornaments—reflecting Purāṇic ideals of charity (dāna) and reverence (pūjā).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: it lists standard pūjā-upacāras and dāna-items (vastra, mālya, anulepana, rings, bracelets, gold cords) used to formally honour designated brāhmaṇas in a vrata/ceremonial sequence.