Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — The Rite of Donating the ‘Mountain of Salt’

Devanagari script

सौभाग्यसरः सम्भूतो यतो ऽयं लवणो रसः तद्दानकर्तृकत्वेन त्वं मां पाहि नगोत्तम //

Transliteration

saubhāgyasaraḥ sambhūto yato 'yaṃ lavaṇo rasaḥ taddānakartṛkatvena tvaṃ māṃ pāhi nagottama //

Translation

From the Lake of Saubhāgya has arisen this salty essence. Therefore, by the power of that gift and as its benefactor, protect me, O best of mountains.

Word by Word

• saubhāgya-saraḥ: the Lake of Saubhāgya (auspiciousness/fortune)

• sambhūtaḥ: arisen, originated

• yataḥ: from which

• ayam: this

• lavaṇaḥ: salty

• rasaḥ: essence, taste, saline water

• tat-dāna: that gift/that act of giving

• kartṛkatvena: in the capacity of the doer/benefactor (as the one who performs it)

• tvam: you

• mām: me

• pāhi: protect

• naga-uttama: O best of mountains

Speaker

• A devotee/pilgrim addressing a sacred mountain (contextual voice within a tirtha/dana passage)

Entities Mentioned

• Saubhagya-saras (Saubhagya Lake)
• Naga-uttama (best of mountains)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Dana
• Sacred Waters
• Pilgrimage
• Puranic Geography

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya; it explains the origin of a saline essence from a sacred lake and frames protection as arising from the merit/power of a related gift (dāna).

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

It reinforces the Matsya Purana’s ethic that dāna (charitable giving) generates spiritual merit that safeguards the giver—an ideal duty for householders and rulers who sustain society through gifts and patronage.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is dāna connected with a tirtha (sacred site): the verse treats a sacred lake and its substance as part of pilgrimage practice, where gifts and prayers to the site’s presiding power (here, a mountain) are believed to confer protection.