Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Description of the Akṣaya Tṛtīyā Observance

Devanagari script

अक्षया संततिस्तस्यास् तस्यां सुकृतमक्षयम् अक्षतैः पूज्यते विष्णुस् तेन साप्यक्षया स्मृता अक्षतैस्तु नराः स्नाता विष्णोर्दत्त्वा तथाक्षतान् //

Transliteration

akṣayā saṃtatistasyās tasyāṃ sukṛtamakṣayam akṣataiḥ pūjyate viṣṇus tena sāpyakṣayā smṛtā akṣataistu narāḥ snātā viṣṇordattvā tathākṣatān //

Translation

On that tithi one gains an unbroken line of descendants, and on it merit becomes imperishable. Viṣṇu is worshipped with akṣata (unbroken rice grains); therefore it is remembered as “Akṣayā” (the Imperishable). After bathing, people should also offer those akṣata grains to Viṣṇu.

Word by Word

• अक्षया (akṣayā): imperishable, inexhaustible (also the name of the tithi)

• संततिः (saṃtatiḥ): progeny, lineage, continuity

• तस्याः (tasyāḥ): of that (tithi/observance)

• तस्यां (tasyāṃ): in that (time/occasion)

• सुकृतम् (sukṛtam): merit, pious deed

• अक्षयम् (akṣayam): undecaying, inexhaustible

• अक्षतैः (akṣataiḥ): with akṣata, unbroken rice grains

• पूज्यते (pūjyate): is worshipped

• विष्णुः (viṣṇuḥ): Lord Viṣṇu

• तेन (tena): therefore, by that reason

• सा अपि (sā api): that too

• स्मृता (smṛtā): is called/remembered

• तु (tu): indeed

• नराः (narāḥ): people

• स्नाताः (snātāḥ): having bathed

• विष्णोः (viṣṇoḥ): to/of Viṣṇu

• दत्त्वा (dattvā): having given/offered

• तथा (tathā): likewise, in that manner

• अक्षतान् (akṣatān): akṣata grains

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (as Viṣṇu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual dialogue frame of the Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu
• Akṣayā (Akshaya Tritiya)
• Akṣata

Tags

• Vrata
• Akshaya Tritiya
• Vishnu Worship
• Ritual Purity
• Punya

FAQs

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

It does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on ritual time (a sacred tithi) and the doctrine of ‘akṣaya’ merit—good deeds performed then are said to yield inexhaustible results.

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

It frames a householder-friendly dharma practice: bathe, worship Viṣṇu, and offer akṣata to gain lasting merit and family continuity (saṃtati). A king, as protector of dharma, would also promote such observances for social and religious stability.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes Viṣṇu-pūjā using akṣata (unbroken rice), emphasizing purity and auspiciousness; there is no Vāstu/temple-measurement rule here, but it directly informs standard pūjā materials and procedure.