Shloka 31

Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī

Devanagari script

एकादश्यां निराहारः समभ्यर्च्य च केशवम् रात्रिं च सकलां स्थित्वा स्नानं च पयसा तथा //

Transliteration

ekādaśyāṃ nirāhāraḥ samabhyarcya ca keśavam rātriṃ ca sakalāṃ sthitvā snānaṃ ca payasā tathā //

Translation

On the Ekādaśī day, one should fast completely, duly worship Keśava (Viṣṇu), keep vigil through the entire night, and then perform bathing with milk as well.

Word by Word

• ekādaśyām: on Ekādaśī (the eleventh lunar day)

• nirāhāraḥ: without food, fasting

• samabhyarcya: having duly worshipped

• ca: and

• keśavam: Keśava (Lord Viṣṇu)

• rātrim: the night

• ca: and

• सकलाम् (sakalām): entire, whole

• sthitvā: having remained (awake/steadfast), having observed

• snānam: bathing, ritual bath

• ca: and

• payasā: with milk

• tathā: likewise, also

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Keśava
• Viṣṇu

Tags

• Ekadashi
• Vrata
• VishnuWorship
• Upavasa
• Jagaran

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on vrata-dharma—Ekādaśī fasting and Keśava worship as a purificatory discipline.

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

It prescribes a householder-friendly devotional discipline: fasting (nirāhāra), worship of Viṣṇu, night-long vigil (jāgaraṇa), and ritual bathing—acts considered dharmic self-restraint and merit-producing conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is explicit: Ekādaśī upavāsa, Keśava-pūjā, all-night vigil, and a milk-bath (payasā snāna), indicating a heightened purity rite within Vaiṣṇava observance.