Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — The Rite of the Jaggery-Cow

Devanagari script

अर्धभारेण वत्सः स्यात् कनिष्ठा भारकेण तु चतुर्थांशेन वत्सः स्याद् गृहवित्तानुसारतः //

Transliteration

ardhabhāreṇa vatsaḥ syāt kaniṣṭhā bhārakeṇa tu caturthāṃśena vatsaḥ syād gṛhavittānusārataḥ //

Translation

A calf (vatsa) is to be valued at half a bhāra; a smaller, lower-grade one at a bhāraka. By another reckoning, a calf is valued at a quarter share—according to the household’s means.

Word by Word

• ardha-bhāreṇa: by half a bhāra (a weight/standard measure)

• vatsaḥ: a calf

• syāt: should be / is to be (assessed)

• kaniṣṭhā: the younger/smaller (one)

• bhārakeṇa: by a bhāraka (a lesser unit related to bhāra)

• tu: but/and

• caturtha-aṃśena: by a fourth part/quarter-share

• vatsaḥ: a calf

• syāt: should be

• gṛha-vitta-anusārataḥ: in accordance with household wealth/means

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purāṇa’s dharma and customary standards, ultimately taught in the Matsya–Manu transmission)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya Purana
• bhāra
• bhāraka
• gṛha (household)
• vitta (wealth)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Householder Dharma
• Weights and Measures
• Economic Norms
• Customary Assessment

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is practical dharma, giving standards for valuation/assessment rather than describing pralaya or cosmology.

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

It supports fair, capacity-based assessment: the value (or due) connected with livestock is adjusted by recognized measures (bhāra/bhāraka) and explicitly calibrated to household wealth (gṛha-vitta), aligning with dharmic governance and equitable household obligations.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vāstu or temple-rule appears here; the significance is administrative—standardizing valuation units and allowing proportionate assessment based on means.