Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayāga

Devanagari script

*मार्कण्डेय उवाच शृणु राजन्महाबाहो यथोक्तकरणं महीम् गामग्निं ब्राह्मणं शास्त्रं काञ्चनं सलिलं स्त्रियः //

Transliteration

*mārkaṇḍeya uvāca śṛṇu rājanmahābāho yathoktakaraṇaṃ mahīm gāmagniṃ brāhmaṇaṃ śāstraṃ kāñcanaṃ salilaṃ striyaḥ //

Translation

Mārkaṇḍeya said: Hear, O king of mighty arms, the rule as it has been laid down: the earth, the cow, fire, the brāhmaṇa, the sacred teaching (śāstra), gold, water, and women are to be duly protected and regarded as inviolable.

Word by Word

मार्कण्डेयःMarkandeya

उवाचsaid

शृणुlisten

राजन्O king

महाबाहोO mighty-armed one

यथोक्तकरणम्the prescribed practice / rule as stated

महीम्the earth / land

गाम्the cow

अग्निम्fire

ब्राह्मणम्a Brahmin / the Brahmin class

शास्त्रम्scripture / sacred law and teaching

काञ्चनम्gold

सलिलम्water

स्त्रियःwomen

Speaker

Markandeya Rishi

Entities Mentioned

MarkandeyaKing (addressed as rājan)Brahmin (brāhmaṇa)Agni (fire, as sacred principle)

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it focuses on dharma—listing categories regarded as sacred/protected and to be upheld by a king according to prescribed rule.

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

It frames a ruler’s (and by extension a householder’s) duty as protection and restraint: safeguarding land and resources (earth, water), preserving ritual order (fire, śāstra), honoring the Brahmin, and ensuring social protection (cows and women), which together support stability and dharmic governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, “agni” and “śāstra” point to maintaining correct sacrificial/ceremonial practice and scriptural law; “salila” (water) is essential for purification rites—indirectly relevant to ritual planning, though the verse is not a Vāstu-śāstra technical rule.