Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī

Devanagari script

*वासुदेव उवाच यद्यष्टमीचतुर्दश्योर् द्वादशीष्वथ भारत अन्येष्वपि दिनर्क्षेषु न शक्तस्त्वम् उपोषितुम् //

Transliteration

*vāsudeva uvāca yadyaṣṭamīcaturdaśyor dvādaśīṣvatha bhārata anyeṣvapi dinarkṣeṣu na śaktastvam upoṣitum //

Translation

Vāsudeva said: O Bhārata, if you are not able to fast on the eighth and the fourteenth lunar days, or on the twelfth, or even on other specially marked days and lunar asterisms, then follow the suitable alternative discipline that will be taught.

Word by Word

• vāsudevaḥ uvāca: Vāsudeva said

• yadi: if

• aṣṭamī: the eighth lunar day

• caturdaśyoḥ: on the fourteenth lunar days (dual)

• dvādaśīṣu: on the twelfth lunar days (locative plural)

• atha: and/then

• bhārata: O descendant of Bharata

• anyeṣu api: even on other (days)

• dina-ṛkṣeṣu: on days connected with lunar mansions/asterisms (nakṣatra-days)

• na śaktaḥ tvam: you are not able

• upoṣitum: to fast/undertake abstinence

Speaker

• Vasudeva (Vishnu/Narayana speaking as Vāsudeva)

Entities Mentioned

• Vasudeva
• Bharata (addressed person/lineage)

Tags

• Dharma
• Vrata
• Upavasa
• Tithi
• Nakshatra

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on practical dharma—fasting (upoṣaṇa) tied to lunar dates (tithi) and nakṣatra-based observances.

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

It frames dharma as adaptable: if a person (including a householder or ruler) cannot keep demanding fasts on key tithis like Aṣṭamī, Caturdaśī, or Dvādaśī, the tradition allows graded observance and alternative disciplines rather than abandonment of religious duty.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architectural topics are not present here; the ritual significance is the prioritization of specific tithis and nakṣatra-days for upavāsa (fasting) within Matsya Purana vrata practice.