Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — The Rite of the Jaggery-Cow

Devanagari script

क्षीरधेनुश्च विख्याता मधुधेनुस्तथा परा सप्तमी शर्कराधेनुर् दधिधेनुस्तथाष्टमी रसधेनुश्च नवमी दशमी स्यात् स्वरूपतः //

Transliteration

kṣīradhenuśca vikhyātā madhudhenustathā parā saptamī śarkarādhenur dadhidhenustathāṣṭamī rasadhenuśca navamī daśamī syāt svarūpataḥ //

Translation

The gift-cow known as the Milk-cow (kṣīra-dhenu) is renowned; likewise, the Honey-cow (madhu-dhenu) comes next. The seventh is the Sugar-cow (śarkarā-dhenu); the eighth, the Curd-cow (dadhi-dhenu). The ninth is the Juice/Essence-cow (rasa-dhenu); and the tenth, in its proper form, is to be given as prescribed.

Word by Word

• kṣīra-dhenuḥ: “milk-cow” (a ritual/gift cow associated with milk)

• ca: and

• vikhyātā: well-known/renowned

• madhu-dhenuḥ: “honey-cow”

• tathā: likewise

• parā: the next/another

• saptamī: the seventh (in the series)

• śarkarā-dhenuḥ: “sugar-cow” (associated with sugar/candy)

• dadhi-dhenuḥ: “curd-yogurt-cow”

• tathā: likewise

• aṣṭamī: the eighth

• rasa-dhenuḥ: “juice/essence-cow” (associated with rasa—sap, juice, elixir)

• ca: and

• navamī: the ninth

• daśamī: the tenth

• syāt: should be/is to be

• svarūpataḥ: according to its proper form/normative specification.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) conveying the Matsya Purana’s dharma/vrata instructions (dialogue tradition ultimately framed as Matsya teaching Manu)

Tags

• Dāna
• Vrata
• Ritual gifts
• Dhenu-dāna
• Punya

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it catalogues types of ritual “gift-cows” (dhenu-dāna) used in dharmic charity and vrata practice.

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

It supports the householder/kingly duty of dāna (charitable giving) by specifying recognized categories of dhenu-dāna—structured gifts believed to yield religious merit when given properly.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it is a technical enumeration of dhenu forms (milk, honey, sugar, curd, rasa), implying that each has a prescribed “svarūpa” (proper specification) for donation—important for correct performance of vrata and dāna rites.