Shloka 15

Matsya Purana — The Rite of the Jaggery-Cow

Devanagari script

स्वधा या पितृमुख्याणां स्वाहा यज्ञभुजां च या सर्वपापहरा धेनुस् तस्माच्छान्तिं प्रयच्छ मे //

Transliteration

svadhā yā pitṛmukhyāṇāṃ svāhā yajñabhujāṃ ca yā sarvapāpaharā dhenus tasmācchāntiṃ prayaccha me //

Translation

You who are called Svadhā for the foremost of the Ancestors, and Svāhā for the gods who partake of the sacrifice—O sin-destroying Cow of abundance, therefore grant me peace and appeasement.

Word by Word

• svadhā: the sacrificial formula/offering for the Pitṛs (ancestors)

• yā: who/which

• pitṛ-mukhyāṇām: of the foremost Pitṛs

• svāhā: the sacrificial exclamation/formula for the Devas in offerings

• yajña-bhujām: of those who partake of the sacrifice (gods)

• ca: and

• yā: who

• sarva-pāpa-harā: remover of all sins

• dhenus: cow, giver of nourishment/abundance (symbol of merit and auspiciousness)

• tasmāt: therefore/from that reason

• śāntim: peace, pacification, auspicious calm

• prayaccha: bestow, grant

• me: to me.

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (as a prayer/recitation within a śānti or pitṛ rite, as taught in the Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Svadhā
• Svāhā
• Pitṛs
• Yajñabhuj (Devas as sacrifice-partakers)
• Dhenu (sacred cow as auspicious principle)

Tags

• Pitṛ-yajña
• Śrāddha
• Śānti
• Mantra
• Ritual

FAQs

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

It does not describe pralaya directly; instead, it presents a ritual-theological principle: distinct invocatory powers (Svadhā for Pitṛs and Svāhā for Devas) are invoked for purification and peace, which supports cosmic order (ṛta/dharma) rather than dissolution.

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

It aligns with the householder’s (and thus the king’s) duty to maintain pitṛ-yajña and śrāddha—honoring ancestors, sustaining sacrificial order, and seeking śānti (pacification) for the welfare of family and realm through dharmic rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: it differentiates offerings to Pitṛs (Svadhā) and to Devas (Svāhā) and frames the ‘dhenu’ as an auspicious, sin-removing bestower of śānti—useful as a recitational verse within śrāddha/śānti procedures rather than Vāstu or temple-building rules.