Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Description of the Akṣaya Tṛtīyā Observance

Devanagari script

*ईश्वर उवाच अथान्यामपि वक्ष्यामि तृतीयां सर्वकामदाम् यस्यां दत्तं हुतं जप्तं सर्वं भवति चाक्षयम् //

Transliteration

*īśvara uvāca athānyāmapi vakṣyāmi tṛtīyāṃ sarvakāmadām yasyāṃ dattaṃ hutaṃ japtaṃ sarvaṃ bhavati cākṣayam //

Translation

The Lord said: “Now I shall also describe another observance—the Third (Tṛtīyā), the fulfiller of all desires—on which whatever is given in charity, offered into the sacred fire, or repeated as mantra becomes imperishable.”

Word by Word

• ईश्वर (īśvara): the Lord

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• अथ (atha): now/then

• अन्याम् अपि (anyām api): another also

• वक्ष्यामि (vakṣyāmi): I shall explain

• तृतीयाम् (tṛtīyām): the third (lunar day/observance)

• सर्वकामदाम् (sarvakāmadām): bestowing all desires

• यस्याम् (yasyām): on which/wherein

• दत्तम् (dattam): given (as charity)

• हुतम् (hutam): offered into fire (homa)

• जप्तम् (japtam): muttered/recited (japa)

• सर्वम् (sarvam): all

• भवति (bhavati): becomes

• च (ca): and

• अक्षयम् (akṣayam): imperishable/inexhaustible

Speaker

• Īśvara (Lord Matsya/Vishnu, speaking in the Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Īśvara
• Tṛtīyā
• Dāna
• Homa
• Japa

Tags

• Vrata
• Dharma
• Ritual Merit
• Dāna
• Mantra Japa

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya directly; it teaches ritual-time theology—acts like dāna, homa, and japa performed on Tṛtīyā yield akṣaya (inexhaustible) merit.

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

It frames a householder/kingly duty as supporting dharma through dāna (charity), homa (Vedic fire rite), and japa (disciplined mantra practice), especially when aligned with sacred calendrical times for lasting merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: the verse highlights Tṛtīyā as a highly auspicious tithi where charity, fire-offerings, and mantra-recitation become akṣaya (imperishable in result).