Shloka 36

Matsya Purana — The Pushkara Manifestation

Devanagari script

लोकसर्जनहेतुज्ञो गवामर्थाय सत्तमः जज्ञिरे च सुतास्तस्यां विपुला धूमसंनिभाः //

Transliteration

lokasarjanahetujño gavāmarthāya sattamaḥ jajñire ca sutāstasyāṃ vipulā dhūmasaṃnibhāḥ //

Translation

Knowing the causes behind the creation of the worlds, that best of beings—acting for the welfare of the cows—begot sons in her; many were born, vast in number and resembling smoke in hue.

Word by Word

• loka: worlds/people

• sarjana: creation/emission

• hetu-jñaḥ: knower of the causes/reasons

• gavām: of the cows

• arthāya: for the sake/welfare/purpose

• sat-tamaḥ: the best among the good/noblest one

• jajñire: were born/came into being

• ca: and

• sutāḥ: sons/offspring

• tasyām: in her

• vipulāḥ: many/abundant/vast

• dhūma-saṃnibhāḥ: smoke-like in appearance/grey as smoke

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) reporting the lineage account within the Matsya Purana

Entities Mentioned

• Gavām (cows)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Genealogy
• Creation
• Gau-artha
• Puranic cosmology

FAQs

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

It emphasizes a creator-figure’s knowledge of the causal principles behind creation (loka-sarjana-hetu), pointing to ordered origination rather than dissolution; no pralaya event is described in this specific verse.

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

By highlighting action done “for the welfare of cows” (gavām arthāya), it echoes the Purāṇic ethic that rulers and householders should protect cattle and sustain dharma through agrarian and ritual prosperity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple rule appears here; the ritual takeaway is the Purāṇic stress on cow-welfare as a foundation for yajña-support and social prosperity.