Shloka 23

Matsya Purana — The Greatness and Procedure of the Sarva-Phala-Tyaga Vrata

Devanagari script

सौवर्णरौप्यताम्रेषु यावन्तः परमाणवः भवन्ति चूर्ण्यमानेषु फलेषु मुनिसत्तम तावद्युगसहस्राणि रुद्रलोके महीयते //

Transliteration

sauvarṇaraupyatāmreṣu yāvantaḥ paramāṇavaḥ bhavanti cūrṇyamāneṣu phaleṣu munisattama tāvadyugasahasrāṇi rudraloke mahīyate //

Translation

O best of sages, for as many atoms as arise when gold, silver, and copper are ground into powder, for that many thousands of yugas one is honored and exalted in Rudra’s world (Rudraloka).

Word by Word

• सौवर्ण (sauvarṇa): of gold

• रौप्य (raupya): of silver

• ताम्रेषु (tāmreṣu): in/with copper

• यावन्तः (yāvantaḥ): as many as

• परमाणवः (paramāṇavaḥ): atoms, minute particles

• भवन्ति (bhavanti): come to be/are produced

• चूर्ण्यमानेषु (cūrṇyamāneṣu): when being powdered/ground

• फलेषु (phaleṣu): in the results/fruits (i.e., resulting particles)

• मुनिसत्तम (munisattama): O best among sages

• तावत् (tāvat): that many/so much

• युगसहस्राणि (yuga-sahasrāṇi): thousands of yugas

• रुद्रलोके (rudraloke): in Rudra’s realm

• महीयते (mahīyate): is honored, is glorified.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (narration frame via Sūta)

Entities Mentioned

• Rudra
• Rudraloka

Tags

• Dana
• Punya-phala
• Metals
• Afterlife realms
• Matsya Purana merit doctrine

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it teaches karmic “phala” (results) of dharmic acts—specifically, the immense merit gained through gifts involving gold, silver, and copper—described as honor in Rudraloka for thousands of yugas.

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

It supports the householder/kingly duty of dāna (charitable giving): donating valuable metals is praised as producing vast spiritual reward, encouraging rulers and householders to sustain society through generosity and ritual patronage.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is the Purāṇic valuation of metals used in sacred economy (dāna and offerings). While not a Vāstu rule itself, it aligns with temple-ritual practice where gold, silver, and copper are esteemed for consecration gifts and ceremonial uses.