Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — The Rite of Gifting the ‘Silver Mountain’

Devanagari script

दशभिः पलसाहस्रैर् उत्तमो रजताचलः पञ्चभिर्मध्यमः प्रोक्तस् तदर्धेनाधमः स्मृतः //

Transliteration

daśabhiḥ palasāhasrair uttamo rajatācalaḥ pañcabhirmadhyamaḥ proktas tadardhenādhamaḥ smṛtaḥ //

Translation

A “silver mountain” (rajatācala) is held to be of the highest grade when it weighs ten thousand palas; of the middle grade when it is five thousand; and of the lowest grade when it is half of that.

Word by Word

• daśabhiḥ: by ten

• palasāhasraiḥ: thousands of palas (units of weight)

• uttamaḥ: the best/highest

• rajatācalaḥ: ‘silver mountain’ (a technical term for a mass/standard quantity of silver)

• pañcabhiḥ: by five

• madhyamaḥ: middle/medium

• proktaḥ: is declared

• tadardhena: by half of that

• adhamaḥ: lowest/inferior

• smṛtaḥ: is remembered/recognized (as).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Weights and Measures
• Metallurgy
• Temple Economy
• Ritual Materials

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it preserves practical metrological standards, indicating the Purana’s role as a technical manual alongside mythic narration.

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

By defining clear grades of silver by weight, it supports fair taxation, honest trade, and properly provisioned religious donations—key responsibilities of rulers and patrons in the Matsya Purana’s dharmic economy.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Temple-building and consecration require precisely measured metals for icons, ornaments, and offerings; this verse standardizes silver quantities (rajatācala) into high, medium, and low grades by pala-weight.