Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī Vrata: Monthly Śiva-Names

Devanagari script

*श्रीभगवानुवाच कृष्णाष्टमीमथो वक्ष्ये सर्वपापप्रणाशिनीम् शान्तिर्मुक्तिश्च भवति जयः पुंसां विशेषतः //

Transliteration

*śrībhagavānuvāca kṛṣṇāṣṭamīmatho vakṣye sarvapāpapraṇāśinīm śāntirmuktiśca bhavati jayaḥ puṃsāṃ viśeṣataḥ //

Translation

The Blessed Lord said: “Now I shall describe Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī, the observance that destroys all sins. From it arise peace and liberation (mokṣa)—and, especially for men, victory as well.”

Word by Word

• śrī-bhagavān uvāca: the Blessed Lord said

• kṛṣṇāṣṭamīm: (the vow/day called) Krishna Ashtami, the eighth lunar day of the dark fortnight

• atho: now/then

• vakṣye: I shall explain

• sarva-pāpa-praṇāśinīm: the destroyer of all sins

• śāntiḥ: peace, appeasement, inner calm

• muktiḥ ca: and liberation

• bhavati: comes to be/arises

• jayaḥ: victory, triumph

• puṃsām: of men/for people (esp. males in ritual phrasing)

• viśeṣataḥ: especially, in particular.

Speaker

• Śrī Bhagavān (identified in this dialogue-stream of the Matsya Purana as Lord Matsya/Vishnu instructing Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Śrī Bhagavān
• Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī

Tags

• Vrata
• Dharma
• Ritual Calendar
• Sin-Removal
• Liberation

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya directly; it frames a dharma-teaching on Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī as a sin-destroying observance that yields peace and liberation—goals often sought for spiritual security across cosmic cycles.

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

It introduces a vrata that supports ethical purification (sarva-pāpa-praṇāśinī) and social-royal stability (śānti, jaya). For householders and rulers alike, such observances are presented as practical dharma-tools to cultivate restraint, merit, and auspicious outcomes.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architectural rules are not mentioned; the ritual significance is the announcement of Kṛṣṇāṣṭamī as a powerful vrata/tithi-observance associated with purification, peace, and mokṣa-oriented merit.