Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

एष्टव्या बहवः पुत्रा यद्येको ऽपि गयां व्रजेत् यजेत वाश्वमेधेन नीलं वा वृषमुत्सृजेत् //

Transliteration

eṣṭavyā bahavaḥ putrā yadyeko 'pi gayāṃ vrajet yajeta vāśvamedhena nīlaṃ vā vṛṣamutsṛjet //

Translation

Many sons are to be desired—for if even one of them should go to Gayā, or perform an Aśvamedha sacrifice, or set free a blue-hued bull, that itself brings great merit.

Word by Word

• एष्टव्या (eṣṭavyā): are to be sought/desired

• बहवः (bahavaḥ): many

• पुत्राः (putrāḥ): sons

• यदि (yadi): if

• एकः अपि (ekaḥ api): even one

• गयाम् (gayām): to Gayā

• व्रजेत् (vrajet): should go

• यजेत (yajeta): should perform sacrifice

• वा (vā): or

• अश्वमेधेन (aśvamedhena): by the Aśvamedha (horse-sacrifice)

• नीलम् (nīlam): blue/dark-hued

• वा (vā): or

• वृषम् (vṛṣam): bull

• उत्सृजेत् (utsṛjet): should release/set free (as a religious gift/rite).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Gayā
• Aśvamedha
• Vṛṣotsarga (bull-release rite)
• Putra (son)
• Pitṛs (ancestors, implied)

Tags

• Pitṛ-dharma
• Gayā
• Śrāddha
• Aśvamedha
• Vṛṣotsarga

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it emphasizes Pitṛ-dharma—merit-producing acts like Gayā pilgrimage, Aśvamedha, and vṛṣotsarga that support ancestral welfare.

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

It frames a householder’s (and by extension a king’s) duty to sustain lineage and perform dharmic acts: ensuring at least one capable son who can undertake high-merit rites such as Gayā pilgrimage or major yajñas, thereby honoring ancestors and social order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: it highlights three high-merit rites—Gayā pilgrimage (often linked with śrāddha), Aśvamedha (royal yajña), and releasing a bull (vṛṣotsarga) as a dharmic act connected to ancestral benefit.