Shloka 28

Matsya Purana — The Tale of Brahmadatta: Past-life Memory

Devanagari script

*ब्राह्मण उवाच ये विप्रमुख्याः कुरुजाङ्गलेषु दाशास्तथा दाशपुरे मृगाश्च कालञ्जरे सप्त च चक्रवाका ये मानसे ते वयमत्र सिद्धाः //

Transliteration

*brāhmaṇa uvāca ye vipramukhyāḥ kurujāṅgaleṣu dāśāstathā dāśapure mṛgāśca kālañjare sapta ca cakravākā ye mānase te vayamatra siddhāḥ //

Translation

The Brāhmaṇa said: “Those foremost among Brāhmaṇas who dwell in Kuru-jāṅgala, the Dāśas likewise in Dāśapura, and the deer as well; the seven cakravāka birds at Kālañjara; and those who are at Mānasa— we too have here attained siddhi (spiritual accomplishment).”

Word by Word

• brāhmaṇaḥ uvāca: the Brāhmaṇa said

• ye: those who

• vipra-mukhyāḥ: foremost Brāhmaṇas

• kuru-jāṅgaleṣu: in the region called Kuru-jāṅgala

• dāśāḥ: fishermen/boatmen community (Dāśa people)

• tathā: likewise

• dāśa-pure: in Dāśapura (a place-name)

• mṛgāḥ: deer

• ca: and

• kālañjare: at Kālañjara (a sacred mountain/fort)

• sapta: seven

• cakravākāḥ: cakravāka birds (ruddy geese)

• ye: those who

• mānase: at (Lake) Mānasa/Mānasa-sarovara

• te: they/those

• vayam: we

• atra: here

• siddhāḥ: accomplished, perfected, having attained siddhi.

Speaker

• Brāhmaṇa (a narrating/answering Brahmin in the dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Kuru-jāṅgala
• Dāśa
• Dāśapura
• Kālañjara
• Cakravāka
• Mānasa (Mānasa-sarovara)

Tags

• TirthaMahatmya
• SacredGeography
• Pilgrimage
• Siddhi
• Punya

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it emphasizes sacred geography—how beings associated with particular holy regions are regarded as having attained spiritual accomplishment (siddhi) through the sanctity of those places.

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

Indirectly, it supports the dharmic ideal of tirtha-yātrā (pilgrimage) and honoring holy places: a householder or king gains merit by visiting, protecting, and supporting sacred sites and the communities connected with them.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or temple-building rule appears here; the ritual takeaway is the power of tirtha association—certain locations (like Kālañjara and Mānasa) are portrayed as conferring siddhi, implying the value of pilgrimage rites, vows, and worship performed at such sites.