Matsya Purana — Dynastic Genealogies: Paurava–Anu Lines, Shloka 80

Devanagari script

ततस्तं दीर्घतमसं सुरभिर्वाक्यमब्रवीत् विचार्य यस्माद्गोधर्मं प्रमाणं ते कृतं विभो //

Transliteration

tatastaṃ dīrghatamasaṃ surabhirvākyamabravīt vicārya yasmādgodharmaṃ pramāṇaṃ te kṛtaṃ vibho //

Translation

ਫਿਰ ਸੁਰਭੀ ਨੇ ਦੀਰਘਤਮਸ ਨੂੰ ਕਿਹਾ—“ਹੇ ਵਿਭੋ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਵਿਚਾਰ ਕਰਕੇ ਗੋ-ਧਰਮ ਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਮਾਣ ਰੂਪ ਵਿੱਚ ਸਥਾਪਿਤ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ।”

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• tam: to him

• dīrghatamasaṃ: (to) Dīrghatamas

• surabhiḥ: Surabhī (the divine cow)

• vākyam: words/speech

• abravīt: said/spoke

• vicārya: having considered/reflected

• yasmāt: because/since

• go-dharmaṃ: the dharma regarding cows (cow-protection and related duties)

• pramāṇam: authoritative measure/standard

• te: by you/your

• kṛtam: made/established

• vibho: O mighty one/O lord

Speaker

• Surabhī

Entities Mentioned

• Surabhī
• Dīrghatamas
• Go-dharma

Tags

• Dharma
• Go-dharma
• Ethics
• Puranic dialogue
• Normative standards

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it frames dharma in ethical terms, stating that “go-dharma” (duties centered on cows and their protection) is treated as a recognized standard of righteousness.

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

By presenting go-dharma as a pramāṇa (authoritative benchmark), it implies that rulers and householders should uphold cow-protection, proper care, and related charitable/ritual duties as a key measure of moral governance and daily conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-building rule appears here; the ritual takeaway is that dharma connected with cows is treated as a normative yardstick—often linked in Purāṇic practice to gifting cows, maintaining cowsheds, and supporting sacrificial/household rites.