Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Mount Kārpāsa and the Rite of the ‘Kārpāsa-Śailendra’

Devanagari script

इति कार्पासशैलेन्द्रं यो दद्याच्छर्वसंनिधौ रुद्रलोके वसेत्कल्पं ततो राजा भवेदिह //

Transliteration

iti kārpāsaśailendraṃ yo dadyāccharvasaṃnidhau rudraloke vasetkalpaṃ tato rājā bhavediha //

Translation

Thus, whoever offers the gift called the “Kārpāsa-Śailendra” in the presence of Śarva (Śiva) dwells in Rudra’s world for a kalpa; thereafter, in this very world, he becomes a king.

Word by Word

• iti: thus

• kārpāsa-śailendram: (the gift/rite named) ‘Kārpāsa-Śailendra’ (literally, “cotton-mountain lord,” i.e., a specific donation/ritual item)

• yaḥ: whoever

• dadyāt: would give/should give

• śarva-saṃnidhau: in the presence/sanctuary of Śarva (Śiva)

• rudra-loke: in Rudra’s world

• vaset: dwells

• kalpam: for a kalpa (aeon)

• tataḥ: thereafter

• rājā: a king

• bhavet: becomes

• iha: here (in this world).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purāṇa’s teaching on dāna; framed as Purāṇic instruction)

Entities Mentioned

• Śarva (Śiva)
• Rudra-loka

Tags

• Dāna
• Śiva
• Phalaśruti
• Rudraloka
• Kingship

FAQs

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

It does not discuss pralaya directly; it uses the vast time-unit “kalpa” to describe the duration of heavenly reward in Rudra-loka earned through a specific act of dāna performed before Śiva.

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

It promotes the householder duty of charity (dāna) performed with devotion in a sacred setting; the stated fruit—eventual kingship—frames righteous giving as a karmic cause for prosperity, status, and leadership in a future birth.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual emphasis is “Śarva-saṃnidhau”—giving in Śiva’s presence (i.e., at a Śiva shrine/temple or sanctified space). The named gift “Kārpāsa-Śailendra” indicates a specific prescribed donation item/rite (likely involving cotton/cloth), highlighting Matsya Purāṇa-style cataloging of dānas and their phalas.