Shloka 64

Matsya Purana — Kailasa

Devanagari script

परस्परेण द्विगुणा धर्मतः कामतो ऽर्थतः हेमकूटस्य पृष्ठे तु सर्पाणां तत्सरः स्मृतम् //

Transliteration

paraspareṇa dviguṇā dharmataḥ kāmato 'rthataḥ hemakūṭasya pṛṣṭhe tu sarpāṇāṃ tatsaraḥ smṛtam //

Translation

In that region, the fruits of merit are said to be doubled in comparison with other holy places—whether sought for dharma, for kāma (desire), or for artha (worldly prosperity). On the back-slope of Hemakūṭa, that lake is remembered as belonging to the Nāgas (serpent beings).

Word by Word

• paraspareṇa: in comparison with one another / relatively

• dviguṇā: twofold, doubled

• dharmataḥ: with respect to dharma (religious merit)

• kāmataḥ: with respect to kāma (desired enjoyments)

• arthataḥ: with respect to artha (wealth/prosperity)

• hemakūṭasya: of Hemakūṭa (the mountain)

• pṛṣṭhe: on the back, rear slope, ridge

• tu: indeed/and

• sarpāṇām: of the serpents (Nāgas)

• tat-saraḥ: that lake

• smṛtam: is remembered/known (in tradition).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Hemakūṭa
• Nāgas (Sarpas)
• Sarovara (sacred lake)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Geography
• Phala-śruti
• Dharma
• Artha
• Kāma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a tirtha-phalashruti statement, describing amplified spiritual and worldly results obtained at a specific sacred lake near Hemakūṭa associated with the Nāgas.

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

It frames pilgrimage and sacred-site observance as a legitimate pursuit for all three aims—dharma, artha, and kāma—so a householder (and a king guiding public religion) may support tirtha-visits and vows as part of ethical, prosperity-oriented life within dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The architectural detail is geographic: a lake on Hemakūṭa’s back-slope identified as a Nāga-tīrtha; ritually, it implies that bathing, offerings, or vows performed there are believed to yield “double” results compared to other sites.