Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — Kamalā-Saptamī Vow: Lotus Rite for Sūrya

Devanagari script

अहोरात्रे गते पश्चाद् अष्टम्यां भोजयेद्द्विजान् यथाशक्त्यथ भुञ्जीत मांसतैलविवर्जितम् //

Transliteration

ahorātre gate paścād aṣṭamyāṃ bhojayeddvijān yathāśaktyatha bhuñjīta māṃsatailavivarjitam //

Translation

After a full day and night have passed, on the eighth lunar day (aṣṭamī) one should feed the twice-born (Brahmins). Then, according to one’s capacity, one may eat as well—avoiding meat and oil.

Word by Word

• ahorātre: in a day-and-night (full 24 hours)

• gate: having passed/elapsed

• paścāt: thereafter

• aṣṭamyām: on the Aṣṭamī (eighth tithi)

• bhojayet: should cause to eat/should feed

• dvijān: the twice-born (Brahmins)

• yathā-śakti: according to one’s ability

• atha: then

• bhuñjīta: should eat

• māṃsa: meat

• taila: oil

• vivarjitam: devoid of/abstaining from

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating Purāṇic vrata-vidhi in the Matsya Purana tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Dvija (Brahmins)
• Aṣṭamī (eighth lunar day)

Tags

• Vrata
• Aṣṭamī
• Brāhmaṇa-bhojana
• Ahimsa
• Dietary rules

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it prescribes vrata practice—after observing a full day-and-night, one honors Brahmins on Aṣṭamī and maintains dietary restraint.

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

It reflects the householder’s dharma of hospitality and ritual charity: completing a vow properly includes feeding qualified Brahmins and practicing self-control by avoiding rajasic/tamasic foods like meat and oil.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (vrata-vidhi), not architectural: it outlines the sequence of observance—ahorātra completion, Aṣṭamī Brahmin-feeding, and a regulated, meat-and-oil-free meal for the observer.