The present invention provides an exhaust gas purifying composition containing BEA zeolite containing phosphorus, wherein an amount of phosphorus is such that a molar ratio thereof with respect to Al in the zeolite is 0.5 or greater, and a maintaining factor RS of a specific surface area of the exhaust gas purifying composition after heating at 980° C. for 25 hours is 35% or greater. Furthermore, the present invention also provides an exhaust gas purifying composition containing phosphorus-containing zeolite, wherein an amount of phosphorus is such that a molar ratio thereof with respect to Al in the zeolite is from 0.5 to 8, and a maintaining factor Rd of a crystallite diameter after heating at 980° C. for 25 hours is 50% or greater. The exhaust gas purifying composition of the present invention has excellent HC purifiability for exhaust gas purification in internal combustion engines such as gasoline engines.