Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — Rite of Donating the ‘Sugar Mountain’

Devanagari script

राज्ञस्तस्याग्र्यमहिषी प्राणेभ्यो ऽपि गरीयसी दशनारीसहस्राणां मध्ये श्रीरिव राजते //

Transliteration

rājñastasyāgryamahiṣī prāṇebhyo 'pi garīyasī daśanārīsahasrāṇāṃ madhye śrīriva rājate //

Translation

That king’s chief queen—dearer to him even than his own life-breath—shines among ten thousand women like Śrī (Fortune) herself.

Word by Word

• राज्ञः (rājñaḥ): of the king

• तस्य (tasya): of him/that

• अग्र्य-महिषी (agrya-mahiṣī): the foremost queen, chief consort

• प्राणेभ्यः अपि (prāṇebhyaḥ api): even than (his) life-breaths

• गरीयसी (garīyasī): more weighty, more precious/dear

• दशनारीसहस्राणाम् (daśa-nārī-sahasrāṇām): of ten thousand women

• मध्ये (madhye): in the midst of/among

• श्रीः इव (śrīḥ iva): like Śrī, like Lakṣmī/fortune

• राजते (rājate): shines, is resplendent.

Speaker

• Likely Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing royal splendour (contextual attribution within Matsya Purāṇa narrative flow)

Entities Mentioned

• Śrī (Lakṣmī)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Queenship
• Royal Prosperity
• Courtly Splendour
• Lakshmi symbolism

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on royal prosperity and the auspicious presence of the chief queen likened to Śrī (Fortune/Lakṣmī).

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

It reflects the Rajadharma ideal of an orderly and auspicious household: the chief queen embodies stability, dignity, and prosperity, reinforcing the king’s social and moral standing.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the imagery of Śrī indicates auspiciousness (śrī/aiśvarya) as a royal ideal often associated with proper courtly order and prosperity.