Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Phala-Saptamī Vow

Devanagari script

*ईश्वर उवाच अन्यामपि प्रवक्ष्यामि नाम्ना तु फलसप्तमीम् यामुपोष्य नरः पापाद् विमुक्तः स्वर्गभाग्भवेत् //

Transliteration

*īśvara uvāca anyāmapi pravakṣyāmi nāmnā tu phalasaptamīm yāmupoṣya naraḥ pāpād vimuktaḥ svargabhāgbhavet //

Translation

Īśvara said: “I shall also teach another observance, called the Phala-saptamī. By fasting in that rite, a man is freed from sin and becomes a sharer in heaven.”

Word by Word

• ईश्वर (īśvara): the Lord

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• अन्याम् (anyām): another (observance)

• अपि (api): also

• प्रवक्ष्यामि (pravakṣyāmi): I shall explain/teach

• नाम्ना (nāmnā): by name/called

• तु (tu): indeed

• फलसप्तमीम् (phalasaptamīm): Phala-saptamī (the seventh-day fruit-fast observance)

• याम् (yām): which

• उपोष्य (upoṣya): having fasted/observed a fast

• नरः (naraḥ): a man/person

• पापात् (pāpāt): from sin

• विमुक्तः (vimuktaḥ): released/freed

• स्वर्गभाग् (svargabhāg): one who partakes of heaven

• भवेत् (bhavet): becomes.

Speaker

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

Entities Mentioned

• Īśvara
• Phala-saptamī
• Svarga

Tags

• Vrata
• Upavasa
• Dharma
• Punya
• Sin-removal

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to vrata-dharma and teaches that a specific fast (Phala-saptamī) purifies sin and grants heavenly merit.

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

It frames a practical householder discipline: observing regulated fasting as a dharmic act that reduces pāpa and builds puṇya—an ethical tool recommended for lay life and rulers alike to uphold personal and social righteousness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the introduction of a named vrata (Phala-saptamī) centered on upavāsa; architectural or temple-construction rules are not addressed in this verse.