Shloka 17

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

Devanagari script

प्रयागे श्रोत्रियं सन्तं ग्राहयित्वा यथाविधि शुक्लाम्बरधरं शान्तं धर्मज्ञं वेदपारगम् //

Transliteration

prayāge śrotriyaṃ santaṃ grāhayitvā yathāvidhi śuklāmbaradharaṃ śāntaṃ dharmajñaṃ vedapāragam //

Translation

At Prayāga, in the prescribed manner, one should arrange for a worthy śrotriya (a Veda-learned Brahmin) to receive the gift or dakṣiṇā—one clad in white, tranquil, knowing dharma, and thoroughly versed in the Vedas.

Word by Word

• प्रयागे (prayāge): at Prayāga

• श्रोत्रियम् (śrotriyam): a Veda-trained Brahmin qualified by Vedic study

• सन्तम् (santam): virtuous, good, disciplined

• ग्राहयित्वा (grāhayitvā): having caused to accept/receive, having arranged the receiving

• यथाविधि (yathāvidhi): according to rule, as enjoined

• शुक्लाम्बरधरम् (śuklāmbaradharam): wearing white garments

• शान्तम् (śāntam): peaceful, self-controlled

• धर्मज्ञम् (dharmajñam): knower of dharma and right conduct

• वेदपारगम् (vedapāragam): one who has gone to the far shore of the Veda, fully learned in the Vedas

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for Matsya Purana’s main dialogue flow)

Entities Mentioned

• Prayaga
• Shrotriya
• Veda
• Dharma

Tags

• Prayaga
• Tirtha
• Dana
• Ritual Dharma
• Brahmin Qualifications

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on ritual dharma at Prayāga—specifically, selecting a qualified recipient for a prescribed religious act such as dāna.

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

It guides householders (and rulers who sponsor rites) to perform dāna and ritual payments properly by choosing a śrotriya who is peaceful, dharma-knowing, and Veda-versed—ensuring the act is ethically and ritually valid.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the rule of eligibility: at Prayāga, gifts/fees should be given ‘yathāvidhi’ to a śrotriya marked by purity and learning (e.g., white garments, self-control, Vedic mastery).