Shloka 38

Matsya Purana — Catalogue of the Eighteen Puranas

Devanagari script

कल्पान्ते लैङ्गमित्युक्तं पुराणं ब्रह्मणा स्वयम् तदेकादशसाहस्रं फाल्गुन्यां यः प्रयच्छति तिलधेनुसमायुक्तं स याति शिवसाम्यताम् //

Transliteration

kalpānte laiṅgamityuktaṃ purāṇaṃ brahmaṇā svayam tadekādaśasāhasraṃ phālgunyāṃ yaḥ prayacchati tiladhenusamāyuktaṃ sa yāti śivasāmyatām //

Translation

At the close of a kalpa, Brahmā himself proclaimed the Purāṇa called the “Liṅga.” Whoever, in the month of Phālguna, donates that Purāṇa—consisting of eleven thousand verses—together with the tiladhenu (“sesame-cow” gift), attains equality with Śiva (Śiva-sāmyatā).

Word by Word

• कल्पान्ते: at the end of a kalpa/aeon

• लैङ्गम्: the Liṅga-related (Liṅga) [Purāṇa]

• इति उक्तम्: thus called/so named

• पुराणम्: Purāṇa, ancient sacred text

• ब्रह्मणा: by Brahmā

• स्वयम्: himself

• तत्: that

• एकादश-साहस्रम्: eleven-thousand (in count)

• फाल्गुन्याम्: in (the month of) Phālguna

• यः: whoever

• प्रयच्छति: gives, donates, bestows

• तिलधेनु-समायुक्तम्: accompanied by the tiladhenu (sesame-cow) gift

• सः: he

• याति: goes to/attains

• शिव-साम्यताम्: equality/likeness with Śiva

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmā
• Śiva
• Liṅga Purāṇa
• Phālguna (month)
• Tiladhenu (sesame-cow gift)

Tags

• Dāna
• Purāṇa-māhātmya
• Phālguna-vrata
• Śaiva merit
• Textual donation

FAQs

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

It alludes to cyclical time by mentioning “kalpānta” (the end of a kalpa), framing scriptural revelation and merit-making practices within the larger rhythm of cosmic dissolution and renewal.

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

It presents dāna (charitable gifting) as a key householder and royal duty—supporting dharma by donating authoritative sacred texts and accompanying ritual gifts at an auspicious time (Phālguna).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual detail is the tiladhenu-dāna—an established ceremonial gift (often a symbolic cow formed/represented with sesame or accompanied by sesame offerings) given along with a scripture donation to amplify religious merit.