Shloka 49

Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī

Devanagari script

रौप्यखुराः सवस्त्राश्च चन्दनेनाभिषेचिताः तास्तु तेषां ततो भक्त्या भक्ष्यभोज्यान्नतर्पितान् //

Transliteration

raupyakhurāḥ savastrāśca candanenābhiṣecitāḥ tāstu teṣāṃ tato bhaktyā bhakṣyabhojyānnatarpitān //

Translation

With hooves plated in silver, draped in cloth, and anointed with sandal paste, those cows were then, with devotion, offered by them—along with satisfaction through foods to be eaten and enjoyed, and with cooked rice as nourishment.

Word by Word

• raupya-khurāḥ: silver-hoofed (cows with hooves adorned in silver)

• sa-vastrāḥ: together with garments/cloth coverings

• ca: and

• candanena: with sandal (paste)

• abhiṣecitāḥ: anointed/sprinkled/consecrated

• tāḥ tu: those indeed (cows)

• teṣām: by them/of them

• tataḥ: then/thereafter

• bhaktyā: with devotion

• bhakṣya: edible delicacies/solid foods

• bhojya: foods fit to be enjoyed/meal items

• anna: cooked rice/food

• tarpitān: satisfied/fully gratified (i.e., recipients/guests were satiated).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s ritual/merit section; framed within the Matsya–Manu discourse tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Cows (Go-dāna)
• Sandal paste (Candana)

Tags

• Dana
• Go-dana
• Ritual consecration
• Hospitality
• Bhakti

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on ritual merit through consecrated gifting—especially the devotional offering of adorned cows and the feeding of recipients.

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

It supports the householder/kingly duty of dāna and atithi-satkāra: giving valuable, properly honored gifts (like cows) and ensuring recipients and guests are fully fed and satisfied.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights saṃskāra-style consecration of gifts—adorning with cloth, anointing with sandal paste, and completing the act with feeding (bhakṣya-bhojya-anna) to make the donation auspicious and complete.