Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī, Shloka 48

Devanagari script

गा वै दद्यात्कुरुश्रेष्ठ सौवर्णमुखसंयुताः पयस्विनीः शीलवतीः कांस्यदोहसमन्विताः //

Transliteration

gā vai dadyātkuruśreṣṭha sauvarṇamukhasaṃyutāḥ payasvinīḥ śīlavatīḥ kāṃsyadohasamanvitāḥ //

Translation

Il faut assurément offrir des vaches en don, ô le meilleur des Kurus : des vaches munies de muselières d’or, riches en lait, douces et de bonne conduite, et pourvues d’un vase de bronze pour la traite.

Word by Word

• गाः (gāḥ): cows

• वै (vai): indeed

• दद्यात् (dadyāt): should give, should donate

• कुरुश्रेष्ठ (kuruśreṣṭha): O best of the Kurus (address to the listener)

• सौवर्ण-मुख-संयुताः (sauvarṇa-mukha-saṃyutāḥ): endowed with golden muzzles/face-ornaments

• पयस्विनीः (payasvinīḥ): milk-yielding, abundant in milk

• शीलवतीः (śīlavatīḥ): of good disposition, gentle, well-behaved

• कांस्य-दोह-समन्विताः (kāṃsya-doha-samanvitāḥ): accompanied by a bronze milking utensil (milking pot/pail).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (traditional dialogue frame of the Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Kuru (dynastic epithet in address)

Tags

• Dana
• Gifts
• Grihastha-Dharma
• Cow-Donation
• Ritual-Items

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it belongs to dāna-dharma, prescribing the proper form of gifting cows as a meritorious act.

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

It frames righteous charity (dāna) as a duty—especially for householders and rulers—emphasizing that a worthy gift is complete, humane, and practically useful (a good cow plus necessary milking equipment).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is in the prescribed accessories and auspicious embellishment (golden muzzle) and the inclusion of a functional ritual item (bronze milking vessel), indicating a ‘complete’ donation fit for dharmic rites.