Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — The Rite of the Jaggery-Cow

Devanagari script

चतुर्मुखस्य या लक्ष्मीर् या लक्ष्मीर्धनदस्य च लक्ष्मीर्या लोकपालानां सा धेनुर्वरदास्तु मे //

Transliteration

caturmukhasya yā lakṣmīr yā lakṣmīrdhanadasya ca lakṣmīryā lokapālānāṃ sā dhenurvaradāstu me //

Translation

May the boon-bestowing Cow grant me blessings—the very Prosperity (Lakṣmī) of four-faced Brahmā, the Prosperity of Dhanada (Kubera), and the Prosperity of the Lokapālas, guardians of the directions.

Word by Word

• caturmukhasya: of the four-faced one (Brahmā)

• yā: which

• lakṣmīḥ: prosperity, fortune

• dhanadasya: of Dhanada (Kubera, lord of wealth)

• ca: and

• lokapālānām: of the world-guardians (directional deities)

• sā: that (same)

• dhenuḥ: the cow (wish-fulfilling/auspicious cow)

• varadā: boon-giving

• astu: may it be

• me: for me / to me

Speaker

• Traditional Purāṇic narrator (Sūta-style narration) presenting a stuti/mantra-like prayer

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmā (Caturmukha)
• Kubera (Dhanada)
• Lokapālas

Tags

• Lakshmi
• Dhenustuti
• Wealth
• Ritual Prayer
• Directional Deities

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a devotional-ritual prayer invoking Lakṣmī-like prosperity through the symbolic “boon-giving cow,” linking fortune to cosmic authorities (Brahmā, Kubera, and the Lokapālas).

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

It aligns with householder and royal aims of dharma and artha: prosperity is sought through auspicious, dharmic means (stuti, dana/vrata ethos), framing wealth as sanctioned by divine order rather than mere acquisition.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it functions as a stuti/mantra for auspiciousness and abundance; while not a Vāstu rule, it reflects the Purāṇic practice of invoking directional deities (Lokapālas), a common element in consecrations and protective rites.