Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Rite of Donating the ‘Mountain of Jaggery’

Devanagari script

*ईश्वर उवाच अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि गुडपर्वतमुत्तमम् यत्प्रदानान्नरः स्वर्गम् आप्नोति सुरपूजितम् //

Transliteration

*īśvara uvāca ataḥ paraṃ pravakṣyāmi guḍaparvatamuttamam yatpradānānnaraḥ svargam āpnoti surapūjitam //

Translation

The Lord said: “Now I shall explain the excellent ‘mountain of jaggery’ (Guḍa-parvata). By donating it, a man attains heaven—honoured and worshipped by the gods.”

Word by Word

• ईश्वर (īśvara): the Lord

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• अतः परम् (ataḥ param): hereafter, next

• प्रवक्ष्यामि (pravakṣyāmi): I shall explain/declare

• गुडपर्वतम् (guḍa-parvatam): a ‘mountain’ (heap) of jaggery offered as a gift

• उत्तमम् (uttamam): excellent, supreme

• यत्-प्रदानात् (yat-pradānāt): by the giving of which

• नरः (naraḥ): a man

• स्वर्गम् (svargam): heaven

• आप्नोति (āpnoti): attains

• सुरपूजितम् (sura-pūjitam): worshipped/esteemed by the gods

Speaker

• Īśvara (Lord/Vishnu speaking in the Matsya Purana dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Īśvara
• Svarga
• Suras (gods)

Tags

• Dāna-Dharma
• Punya (merit)
• Svarga
• Ritual gifting
• Matsya Purana teachings

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it introduces a dāna (charitable offering) whose fruit is attainment of heaven and divine honour.

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

It frames charity as a key dharma for householders and rulers alike—publicly supporting religious gifting (dāna) as a means to accrue merit and secure auspicious posthumous destiny.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual focus is on a specific symbolic offering—forming and donating a ‘mountain’ (large heap) of jaggery—presented as a meritorious rite yielding svarga.