Shloka 23

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayāga

Devanagari script

हस्त्यश्वं गाम् अनड्वाहं मणिमुक्तादिकाञ्चनम् परोक्षं हरते यस्तु पश्चाद्दानं प्रयच्छति //

Transliteration

hastyaśvaṃ gām anaḍvāhaṃ maṇimuktādikāñcanam parokṣaṃ harate yastu paścāddānaṃ prayacchati //

Translation

Whoever secretly steals an elephant, a horse, a cow, a bull, or gold and valuables such as gems and pearls, and then afterward offers them as a “gift”—such giving is not true charity, but a continuation of wrongdoing.

Word by Word

• hasti: elephant

• aśva: horse

• gām (go): cow

• anaḍvāham: bull/ox

• maṇi: gem/jewel

• mukta: pearl

• ādika: and the like

• kāñcanam: gold

• parokṣam: secretly, without being seen

• harate: steals/takes away

• yaḥ tu: whoever indeed

• paścāt: afterward

• dānam: gift/charitable donation

• prayacchati: gives, offers

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu

Tags

• Dharma
• Theft
• Dana
• Ethics
• Rajadharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on ethical conduct—specifically condemning secret theft and the misuse of charity to mask wrongdoing.

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

It reinforces Rajadharma and household ethics: wealth gained by theft is illegitimate, and giving stolen property as ‘dāna’ does not purify the act; rulers must deter theft and uphold rightful ownership.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is that offerings are ethically valid only when the donor’s ownership is lawful and the act is not a cover for adharma.