Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayaga and the Supremacy of Cow-Donation

Devanagari script

कर्मणा मनसा वाचा धर्मसत्यप्रतिष्ठितः गङ्गायमुनयोर्मध्ये यस्तु गां सम्प्रयच्छति //

Transliteration

karmaṇā manasā vācā dharmasatyapratiṣṭhitaḥ gaṅgāyamunayormadhye yastu gāṃ samprayacchati //

Translation

Established in dharma and truth through deed, thought, and speech, whoever bestows a cow in the land between the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā attains great religious merit.

Word by Word

• कर्मणा (karmaṇā): by actions/deeds

• मनसा (manasā): by the mind/thought

• वाचा (vācā): by speech/words

• धर्मसत्यप्रतिष्ठितः (dharmasatyapratiṣṭhitaḥ): firmly established in dharma and truth

• गङ्गायमुनयोर्मध्ये (gaṅgā-yamunayoḥ madhye): in the region between the Ganga and Yamuna (Doab)

• यः (yaḥ): whoever

• तु (tu): indeed

• गां (gāṃ): a cow

• सम्प्रयच्छति (samprayacchati): gives/bestows properly (as charity).

Speaker

• Suta Goswami (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching on dana and sacred places)

Entities Mentioned

• Ganga
• Yamuna

Tags

• Dana
• Go-dana
• Dharma
• Satya
• Tirtha

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it teaches dharma through charitable giving (especially go-dana) and emphasizes inner and outer purity—deed, thought, and speech.

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

It frames charity as a core duty: a householder (and by extension a king as protector of dharma) should give with integrity—truthful intent, righteous conduct, and proper speech—especially in renowned sacred regions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is go-dana (gift of a cow) performed in a highly sanctified tirtha-region (between the Ganga and Yamuna), highlighting place-based merit rather than any Vastu or temple-building rule.