Matsya Purana — Vrata-Ṣaṣṭhī: The Sixty Sacred Vows, Shloka 23

Devanagari script

अश्वत्थं भास्करं गङ्गां प्रणम्यैकत्र वाग्यतः एकभक्तं नरः कुर्याद् अब्दमेकं विमत्सरः //

Transliteration

aśvatthaṃ bhāskaraṃ gaṅgāṃ praṇamyaikatra vāgyataḥ ekabhaktaṃ naraḥ kuryād abdamekaṃ vimatsaraḥ //

Translation

Nachdem man in einem einzigen Ort den heiligen Aśvattha-Baum, die Sonne und den Fluss Gaṅgā ehrfürchtig verehrt und die Rede gezügelt hat (an einem Ort verweilend), soll ein Mann, frei von Missgunst, ein volles Jahr lang die Übung befolgen, nur eine Mahlzeit am Tag zu sich zu nehmen.

Word by Word

• अश्वत्थम् (aśvattham): the aśvattha (peepal) tree

• भास्करम् (bhāskaram): the Sun (Sūrya)

• गङ्गाम् (gaṅgām): the river Gaṅgā

• प्रणम्य (praṇamya): having bowed/saluted

• एकत्र (ekatra): in one place/at one spot

• वाग्यतः (vāgyataḥ): with speech restrained, observing silence/controlled speech

• एकभक्तम् (ekabhaktam): one-meal-a-day observance

• नरः (naraḥ): a man/householder

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): should do/should undertake

• अब्दम् (abdam): a year

• एकम् (ekam): one

• विमत्सरः (vimatsaraḥ): without jealousy, free from spite

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating Purāṇic vrata-instructions; presented within the Matsya Purana’s didactic dialogue tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Aśvattha (sacred fig tree)
• Sūrya (Bhāskara)
• Gaṅgā

Tags

• Vrata
• Tapas
• Sūrya-upāsanā
• Gaṅgā
• Aśvattha

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it focuses on dharmic self-discipline (vrata) and merit through reverence to sacred symbols (Aśvattha, Sūrya, Gaṅgā) and regulated living.

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

It prescribes a householder-friendly austerity: controlled speech, non-malice, and the ekabhakta vow for a year—framing personal restraint as a core dharma that supports ethical governance and social harmony.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights worship of natural and cosmic sanctities (tree, Sun, sacred river) and the discipline of vāg-yama and ekabhakta—useful for planning vrata routines and pilgrimage/river-ritual observances rather than temple architecture rules.