HomeMatsya PuranaAdh. 171Shloka 62

Shloka 62

Matsya Purana — The Pushkara Manifestation

चतुष्पदानि सत्त्वानि तथा गावस्तु सौरभाः सुपर्णान्पक्षिणश्चैव विनता च व्यजायत //

catuṣpadāni sattvāni tathā gāvastu saurabhāḥ suparṇānpakṣiṇaścaiva vinatā ca vyajāyata //

Then were born the four-footed creatures; likewise the fragrant, milk-giving cows; and the winged Suparṇas (noble birds). Vinatā too gave birth (to her offspring).

catuṣ-padānifour-footed
catuṣ-padāni:
sattvāniliving beings/creatures
sattvāni:
tathālikewise
tathā:
gāvaḥcows
gāvaḥ:
tuindeed/and
tu:
saurabhāḥfragrant, sweet-smelling (also: of excellent scent, yielding pleasing milk)
saurabhāḥ:
suparṇānSuparṇas, ‘fair-winged’ beings (noble birds)
suparṇān:
pakṣiṇaḥbirds/winged creatures
pakṣiṇaḥ:
ca evaand also
ca eva:
vinatāVinatā (a mother in the lineage narratives)
vinatā:
caand
ca:
vyajāyatagave birth/was born/produced.
vyajāyata:
Lord Matsya (narrating Purāṇic creation/genealogy to Vaivasvata Manu)
VinatāSuparṇaGāvaḥ (cows)Catuṣpada-sattvāni (quadrupeds)
CreationPrajā-sargaGenealogyMythic zoologyPuranic cosmology

FAQs

This verse is a creation (sarga) detail: it lists kinds of beings produced—quadrupeds, cows, and winged Suparṇas—framing the repopulation/manifestation of life rather than describing dissolution.

By foregrounding cows and living creatures as part of sacred creation, it supports the Purāṇic ethic of protection (rakṣaṇa)—especially go-rakṣā (cow protection), non-cruelty toward animals, and responsible stewardship expected of rulers and householders.

No direct Vāstu or temple rule appears in this verse; its ritual takeaway is indirect—cows are central to Purāṇic ritual economy (gifts, sustenance for yajña-supporting society), reinforcing their sanctity in dharmic practice.