Shloka 41

Matsya Purana — The Pushkara Manifestation

Devanagari script

प्रकृष्टाश्च तथा मायाः सुरभ्याः पशवो ऽक्षराः अजाश्चैव तु हंसाश्च तथैवामृतमुत्तमम् //

Transliteration

prakṛṣṭāśca tathā māyāḥ surabhyāḥ paśavo 'kṣarāḥ ajāścaiva tu haṃsāśca tathaivāmṛtamuttamam //

Translation

Likewise, there are the excellent (higher) māyās; the fragrant and beneficent cattle; the imperishable (akṣara) beings; goats as well as hamsas (sacred swans); and in the same way, the supreme nectar of immortality.

Word by Word

• prakṛṣṭāḥ: excellent, superior

• ca: and

• tathā: likewise

• māyāḥ: powers/manifestations (māyā, wondrous potencies)

• surabhyāḥ: fragrant, auspicious

• paśavaḥ: animals, cattle

• akṣarāḥ: imperishable, undecaying (also: syllabic/eternal)

• ajāḥ: goats

• ca eva: and indeed

• tu: moreover

• haṃsāḥ: swans (symbolic of purity and discernment)

• ca: and

• tathā eva: likewise

• amṛtam: nectar of immortality

• uttamam: supreme, highest.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Māyā
• Surabhi (as the idea of auspicious/celestial cattle)
• Amṛta

Tags

• Creation
• Cosmic Emanations
• Auspicious Beings
• Amrita
• Puranic Cosmology

FAQs

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

It presents a creation-style enumeration of exalted manifestations—imperishable principles (akṣara), auspicious beings, and even amṛta—implying an ordered cosmic emanation rather than a direct description of destruction (pralaya).

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

By praising auspicious cattle and “excellent” divine manifestations, it aligns with the Purāṇic ideal that rulers and householders should protect cattle, sustain dharmic prosperity, and honor sacred symbols that uphold social and cosmic order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu rule is stated, but the mention of haṃsa (purity/discernment) and amṛta (ritual immortality motif) supports ritual framing: offerings and consecrations aim at auspiciousness and ‘amṛta’-like sanctity in temple and yajña contexts.