Shloka 9

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

Devanagari script

अनेन विधिना यस्तु दद्याल्लवणपर्वतम् उमालोके वसेत्कल्पं ततो याति परां गतिम् //

Transliteration

anena vidhinā yastu dadyāllavaṇaparvatam umāloke vasetkalpaṃ tato yāti parāṃ gatim //

Translation

Whoever, following this prescribed procedure, donates a “mountain of salt,” dwells for a kalpa in Umā’s world; thereafter, he attains the supreme state.

Word by Word

• अनेन विधिना: by this method/rite

• यः तु: whoever indeed

• दद्याल्: should give/donates

• लवणपर्वतम्: a mountain-heap of salt (salt-mountain gift)

• उमालोके: in Umā’s world (realm associated with the Goddess)

• वसेत्: dwells

• कल्पम्: for a kalpa (aeon)

• ततः: thereafter

• याति: goes/attains

• परां गतिम्: the highest goal/supreme destination (liberation or highest posthumous state).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu on dāna-dharma (likely context within the Matsya–Manu dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Umā
• Lavaṇa (salt)
• Kalpa
• Parā gati (supreme goal)

Tags

• Dāna
• Ritual procedure
• Phala-śruti
• Umā-loka
• Merit

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya directly; it teaches dāna-phala (the spiritual result of a prescribed gift), linking ritual charity to long heavenly residence and ultimately the supreme goal.

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

It frames charitable giving (especially formally prescribed dānas) as a key householder/royal duty: performing the gift according to rule brings extraordinary merit, exemplary of dharmic governance and household piety.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: the phrase “anena vidhinā” stresses correct procedure for a specific dāna—lavaṇa-parvata (a large, mountain-like heap of salt)—and promises a defined phala (reward).