Shloka 22

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

Devanagari script

तस्मात्सर्वेषु दानेषु गोदानं तु विशिष्यते दुर्गमे विषमे घोरे महापातकसम्भवे गौरेव रक्षां कुरुते तस्माद्देया द्विजोत्तमे //

Transliteration

tasmātsarveṣu dāneṣu godānaṃ tu viśiṣyate durgame viṣame ghore mahāpātakasambhave gaureva rakṣāṃ kurute tasmāddeyā dvijottame //

Translation

Therefore, among all forms of charity, the gift of a cow is pre-eminent. In difficult, uneven, and dreadful circumstances—when great sins arise—the cow alone provides protection; hence a cow should be given, especially to an excellent Brāhmaṇa.

Word by Word

• tasmāt: therefore

• sarveṣu: among all

• dāneṣu: gifts/charities

• go-dānam: gifting a cow

• tu: indeed

• viśiṣyate: is distinguished/is superior

• durgame: in hard-to-cross/difficult situations

• viṣame: in uneven/perilous circumstances

• ghore: in terrible/frightful conditions

• mahā-pātaka-sambhave: when great sins arise/when grave transgressions manifest

• gauḥ (gaur): the cow

• eva: alone/indeed

• rakṣām: protection/safeguard

• kurute: does/provides

• tasmāt: therefore

• deyā: should be given

• dvija-uttame: to the best among the twice-born (excellent Brāhmaṇa).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Gauḥ (Cow)
• Dvija (Brāhmaṇa)

Tags

• Dāna
• Go-dāna
• Dharma
• Prāyaścitta
• Householder Duties

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya directly; it teaches dāna-dharma, stating that gifting a cow is the most protective and meritorious charity, especially in times of danger and moral decline.

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

It frames go-dāna as a key duty within righteous conduct: a householder (and by extension a king who supports dharma) should prioritize gifting a cow to a worthy Brāhmaṇa as a powerful act of merit and moral safeguarding.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is the primacy of go-dāna as a dharmic act associated with protection and mitigation of grave wrongdoing.