Shloka 16

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

Devanagari script

कपिलां पाटलावर्णां यस्तु धेनुं प्रयच्छति स्वर्णशृङ्गीं रौप्यखुरां कांस्यदोहां पयस्विनीम् //

Transliteration

kapilāṃ pāṭalāvarṇāṃ yastu dhenuṃ prayacchati svarṇaśṛṅgīṃ raupyakhurāṃ kāṃsyadohāṃ payasvinīm //

Translation

Whoever donates a milch-cow—kapilā, tawny with a lotus-rose hue—adorned with golden horns, silvered hooves, and a bronze milking-vessel, rich in milk and fit for gifting, earns great religious merit.

Word by Word

• kapilām: tawny, reddish-brown (cow)

• pāṭalāvarṇām: of pāṭalā/rose-lotus color, pinkish-red hue

• yaḥ tu: whoever indeed

• dhenum: a cow, milch-cow

• prayacchati: gives, donates

• svarṇaśṛṅgīm: having horns (śṛṅga) of gold (svarṇa)

• raupyakhurām: having hooves (khura) of silver (raupya)

• kāṃsyadohām: with milking (doha) done into/using bronze (kāṃsya), i.e., furnished with a bronze milking pail

• payasvinīm: rich in milk, abounding in milk

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Dhenu (cow)

Tags

• Dana
• Dharma
• Cow donation
• Ritual gifts
• Punya

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to dāna-dharma instructions, describing the ideal form of a donated milch-cow and its auspicious adornments.

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

It frames charitable giving (dāna) as a core duty: a householder (and especially a king as patron) should donate valuable, life-sustaining gifts—here, a milk-giving cow—properly honored with fitting ornaments and vessels.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies dāna-upakaraṇa (gift accessories): golden horns, silver hooves, and a bronze milking vessel, indicating that the gift should be complete, honored, and suitable for immediate use.