Shloka 24

Matsya Purana — The Rite of the Jaggery-Cow

Devanagari script

व्रतानामुत्तमं यस्माद् विशोकद्वादशीव्रतम् तदङ्गत्वेन चैवात्र गुडधेनुः प्रशस्यते //

Transliteration

vratānāmuttamaṃ yasmād viśokadvādaśīvratam tadaṅgatvena caivātra guḍadhenuḥ praśasyate //

Translation

Since the Viśoka-Dvādaśī observance is the best among vows, therefore, as an auxiliary rite (aṅga) to it, the offering of a “jaggery-cow” (guḍa-dhenu)—a cow represented with jaggery as a ritual gift—is praised here.

Word by Word

• vratānām: among vows/observances

• uttamam: the सर्वोत्तम/best

• yasmāt: because/since

• viśoka-dvādaśī-vratam: the Viśoka Dvādaśī vow (the sorrow-dispelling twelfth-day observance)

• tat-aṅgatvena: as its limb/auxiliary component

• ca eva: and indeed

• atra: here (in this context/rite)

• guḍa-dhenuḥ: ‘jaggery-cow’ (a cow fashioned/represented with jaggery as a dāna)

• praśasyate: is commended/praised.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Viśoka-Dvādaśī Vrata
• Guḍa-dhenu (ritual dāna)

Tags

• Vrata
• Dharma
• Dāna
• Ritual
• Vaishnava Observance

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on vrata-dharma, specifically praising the Viśoka-Dvādaśī vow and an associated charitable gift.

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

It frames a model of righteous practice: observing a high-status vow (vrata) and supporting it through dāna (charitable gifting). For householders (and kings as exemplars), the verse emphasizes pairing personal discipline with generosity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the recommendation of guḍa-dhenu as an aṅga (auxiliary rite) to the Viśoka-Dvādaśī vrata—indicating that specific symbolic gifts are prescribed to complete or enhance the observance.