Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayāga

Devanagari script

दाता वै लभते भोगान् गां च यत्कर्मणः फलम् तानि कर्माणि पृच्छामि पुनस्तैः प्राप्यते मही //

Transliteration

dātā vai labhate bhogān gāṃ ca yatkarmaṇaḥ phalam tāni karmāṇi pṛcchāmi punastaiḥ prāpyate mahī //

Translation

Indeed, the giver attains enjoyments and also cattle—the fruit corresponding to his deed. I ask again about those very acts: by which of them is the earth (land/kingdom) obtained?

Word by Word

• दाता (dātā): the giver

• वै (vai): indeed

• लभते (labhate): attains, obtains

• भोगान् (bhogān): enjoyments, pleasures

• गां (gām): cow/cattle (wealth)

• च (ca): and

• यत् (yat): which

• कर्मणः (karmaṇaḥ): of the act/deed

• फलम् (phalam): fruit, result

• तानि (tāni): those

• कर्माणि (karmāṇi): acts, deeds

• पृच्छामि (pṛcchāmi): I ask/inquire

• पुनः (punaḥ): again

• तैः (taiḥ): by those (acts)

• प्राप्यते (prāpyate): is obtained, is attained

• मही (mahī): the earth

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (inquiring of Lord Matsya)

Entities Mentioned

• Vaivasvata Manu
• Lord Matsya
• Dātā (the donor)

Tags

• Dana-Dharma
• Karmaphala
• Rajadharma
• Merit
• Wealth

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya directly; it focuses on karmic causality (karmaphala), stating that giving yields specific worldly results like enjoyments and cattle.

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

It frames charity as a practical pillar of dharma: the householder/king who gives gains prosperity (bhoga, cattle), and Manu specifically seeks which righteous acts can even lead to obtaining land or sovereignty—linking dāna to rajadharma and social stability.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or temple-building rule is stated here; the ritual significance is general—dāna (charitable gifting) is treated as a dharmic act with measurable fruits, motivating prescribed rites of giving.