Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — The Rite of the Jaggery-Cow

Devanagari script

कुम्भाः स्युर्द्रवधेनूनाम् इतरासां तु राशयः सुवर्णधेनुमप्यत्र केचिदिच्छन्ति भानवः //

Transliteration

kumbhāḥ syurdravadhenūnām itarāsāṃ tu rāśayaḥ suvarṇadhenumapyatra kecidicchanti bhānavaḥ //

Translation

For the “liquid-cow” (drava-dhenu) offerings, the proper measure is by jars (kumbhas); but for the other kinds, the measure is by heaps (rāśis). In this very context, some authorities also prescribe a cow made of gold (suvarṇa-dhenu) as an appropriate gift.

Word by Word

• kumbhāḥ: jars, pitchers (as a unit/measure)

• syuḥ: are, should be

• drava-dhenūnām: of ‘liquid-cows’ (offerings represented by liquids such as ghee/milk etc. given in cow-equivalent form)

• itarāsām: of the others (other gift-types)

• tu: but

• rāśayaḥ: heaps, piles (as a unit/measure)

• suvarṇa-dhenum: a golden cow (cow-image made of gold, given as dāna)

• api: also

• atra: here, in this matter/context

• kecit: some (teachers/authorities)

• icchanti: desire, approve, prescribe

• bhānavaḥ: the radiant ones / learned authorities (lit. ‘luminous’—interpretable as sages/ritual experts).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, dāna-vidhi context)

Entities Mentioned

• Suvarṇa-dhenu
• Kumbha

Tags

• Dāna
• Ritual-measures
• Suvarṇa-dhenu
• Householder-dharma
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on dharma in the form of standardized measures for ritual gifts (dāna), indicating the Purana’s practical guidance for religious life rather than cosmology here.

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

It guides proper charitable giving: certain donations (like liquid-equivalent offerings) must be given in regulated measures (kumbhas), while others are measured as heaps (rāśis). Such standardization supports righteous conduct, social redistribution, and merit-making expected of householders and rulers.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies measurement standards and recognizes the suvarṇa-dhenu (golden cow) as a sanctioned ceremonial donation—useful for priests and patrons when planning and executing dāna within yajña/vrata contexts.