Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — The Rite of the Jaggery-Cow

Devanagari script

लघ्वेणकाजिनं तद्वद् वत्सं च परिकल्पयेत् प्राङ्मुखीं कल्पयेद्धेनुम् उदक्पादां सवत्सकाम् //

Transliteration

laghveṇakājinaṃ tadvad vatsaṃ ca parikalpayet prāṅmukhīṃ kalpayeddhenum udakpādāṃ savatsakām //

Translation

In the same manner, one should arrange a light antelope-skin and also provide a calf. One should set the cow facing east, with her feet oriented to the north, together with her calf, as desired for the rite.

Word by Word

• laghu: light/small

• eṇaka-ajinam: antelope-skin

• tadvad: likewise/in the same way

• vatsam: a calf

• ca: and

• parikalpayet: should arrange/prepare/provide

• prāṅmukhīm: facing east

• kalpayet: should set/position

• dhenum: a milch-cow

• udak-pādām: having the feet towards the north (udak = north)

• sa-vatsakām: with a calf, as desired/according to intention.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a prescriptive ritual context)

Entities Mentioned

• Dhenū (cow)
• Vatsa (calf)

Tags

• Dana
• Ritual procedure
• Directional rules
• Go-dana
• Matsya Purana rites

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it gives a practical ritual instruction (dāna/vidhi) about preparing and positioning offerings, especially a cow with her calf.

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

It reflects dharmic duties centered on dāna (charitable gifting) and proper ritual conduct—guiding a householder (and by extension a king who sponsors rites) to perform gifts with correct materials and auspicious orientation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual-directionality: the cow is to be placed facing east (prāṅmukhī) with feet toward the north (udakpādā), indicating auspicious spatial alignment—an applied rule similar to Vastu-informed ritual layout.