Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — The Pushkara Manifestation

Devanagari script

गोपतित्वं समासाद्य तयोरेवागमद्गतिम् एवं पुत्रास्त्रयो ऽप्येत उक्ताः शंभोर्महात्मनः //

Transliteration

gopatitvaṃ samāsādya tayorevāgamadgatim evaṃ putrāstrayo 'pyeta uktāḥ śaṃbhormahātmanaḥ //

Translation

Having attained the office of ‘Lord of the Cows’ (Gopati), he reached the very same destiny as those two. Thus have these three sons of the great-souled Śambhu been described.

Word by Word

• gopatित्वम् (gopatitvam): lordship/protectorship over cattle, the station of Gopati

• samāsādya: having attained, having obtained

• tayoḥ eva: of those two indeed, of those very two

• āgamat: went, attained

• gatim: course, state, destiny

• evam: thus

• putrāḥ: sons

• trayaḥ api: three also, all three

• ete: these

• uktāḥ: have been spoken/described

• śaṃbhoḥ: of Śambhu (Śiva)

• mahātmanaḥ: of the great-souled, magnanimous one.

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (continuing the Purāṇic narration to Manu, in the standard Matsya–Manu dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Śambhu (Śiva)
• Gopati (Lord of Cows)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Śiva
• Lineage
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it is a genealogical note emphasizing that a son who attains the role of Gopati reaches the same posthumous ‘gati’ (destiny/state) as the other two, highlighting continuity of spiritual or status outcomes within a lineage.

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

By praising attainment of ‘gopatित्व’ (protective lordship over cattle), the verse echoes a dharmic ideal of stewardship—protecting dependents and sustaining prosperity—an ethic relevant to both kingship (rājadharma) and householders (gṛhastha-dharma) through protection of wealth and livelihood symbolized by cattle.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is stated here; the ritual-cultural takeaway is the prestige of the title ‘Gopati’ and the idea that rightful office and dharmic stewardship are linked with an auspicious ‘gati’ (attained state/destiny).