Shloka 74

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

महती सप्तमी प्रोक्ता पुनश्चैषा धृतिः स्मृता अन्यास्ताभ्यो ऽपि संजाताः शतशो ऽथ सहस्रशः //

Transliteration

mahatī saptamī proktā punaścaiṣā dhṛtiḥ smṛtā anyāstābhyo 'pi saṃjātāḥ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ //

Translation

The observance called Mahatī-Saptamī has been taught; and this same observance is also remembered as Dhṛti. From these, moreover, many other variant observances have arisen—by the hundreds and even by the thousands.

Word by Word

• mahatī: the ‘great’ (observance)

• saptamī: the seventh lunar day / the rite named ‘Saptamī’

• proktā: declared, taught

• punaḥ: again

• ca: and

• eṣā: this

• dhṛtiḥ: ‘Dhṛti’ (steadfastness

• smṛtā: remembered, known in tradition

• anyāḥ: others (variants)

• tābhyaḥ: from those

• api: also, moreover

• saṃjātāḥ: arisen, originated

• śataśaḥ: in hundreds

• atha: then, indeed

• sahasraśaḥ: in thousands.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching) to Vaivasvata Manu (listener)

Entities Mentioned

• Dhṛti
• Saptamī
• Mahatī-Saptamī

Tags

• Vrata
• Tithi
• Dharma
• Punya
• Ritual-variants

FAQs

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

This verse is not about cosmic dissolution; it shows how dharma-practices (vratas tied to lunar days like Saptamī) proliferate into many named and localized variants within tradition.

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

It implies that rulers and householders should uphold and regulate recognized vratas: preserving core observances (like Mahatī-Saptamī/Dhṛti) while understanding that many derivative practices exist across communities.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: it classifies a Saptamī-based vrata and notes its alternate name (Dhṛti), indicating how ritual traditions develop numerous sub-forms over time.