Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

सा गौस्तस्मै प्रदातव्या गङ्गायमुनसंगमे वासांसि च महार्हाणि रत्नानि विविधानि च //

Transliteration

sā gaustasmai pradātavyā gaṅgāyamunasaṃgame vāsāṃsi ca mahārhāṇi ratnāni vividhāni ca //

Translation

That cow should be given to him at the confluence of the Gaṅgā and Yamunā; likewise, precious garments and various kinds of jewels should also be gifted.

Word by Word

• सा (sā): that

• गौः (gauḥ): cow

• तस्मै (tasmai): to him (to that recipient)

• प्रदातव्या (pradātavyā): should be given

• गङ्गायमुनसंगमे (gaṅgā-yamunā-saṅgame): at the confluence of the Gaṅgā and Yamunā (Prayāga)

• वासांसि (vāsāṃsi): garments, clothing

• च (ca): and

• महार्हाणि (mahārhāṇi): highly valuable, precious

• रत्नानि (ratnāni): jewels, gems

• विविधानि (vividhāni): various, many kinds

• च (ca): also/and

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Gaṅgā
• Yamunā
• Prayāga (Gaṅgā-Yamunā Saṅgama)

Tags

• Dāna
• Tīrtha
• Prayāga
• Gau-dāna
• Ritual merit

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on dharma through tīrtha-based charity—especially gifting a cow and valuables at the Gaṅgā–Yamunā confluence.

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

It frames dāna as a core duty: a householder (and especially a king) should support recipients through high-value gifts like a cow, fine clothing, and jewels, with enhanced merit when done at major tīrthas such as Prayāga.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is tīrtha-dāna: performing gifts at the Gaṅgā–Yamunā saṅgama is highlighted as especially auspicious; no vāstu or temple-construction rule is stated in this verse.