Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Phala-Saptamī Vow

Devanagari script

सुरापानादिकं किंचिद् यदत्रामुत्र वा कृतम् तत्सर्वं नाशमायाति यः कुर्यात्फलसप्तमीम् //

Transliteration

surāpānādikaṃ kiṃcid yadatrāmutra vā kṛtam tatsarvaṃ nāśamāyāti yaḥ kuryātphalasaptamīm //

Translation

Whatever sin—such as drinking liquor—has been committed here (in this life) or elsewhere (in another existence), all of it comes to destruction for the one who performs the Phala-saptamī observance.

Word by Word

• सुरापान-आदिकम्: liquor-drinking and similar (sins)

• किंचित्: any (even a little)

• यत्: whatever

• अत्र: here (in this world/this life)

• अमुत्र: there (in the other world/another birth)

• वा: or

• कृतम्: done/committed

• तत् सर्वम्: all that

• नाशम्: destruction/annihilation

• आयाति: goes/comes to

• यः: he who

• कुर्यात्: should do/performs

• फलसप्तमीम्: Phala-saptamī (the ‘Seventh day’ fruit-observance/vrata)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Phala-saptamī

Tags

• Vrata
• Dharma
• Prayashchitta
• Punya
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about cosmic dissolution (Pralaya); it speaks of the ‘destruction’ of personal sin through the religious observance called Phala-saptamī.

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

It frames a practical dharma guideline: rulers and householders who may have incurred serious faults (e.g., surāpāna) are directed toward vrata-based purification, emphasizing ethical self-restraint and ritual discipline.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: performing the Phala-saptamī vrata is presented as a powerful expiatory practice that nullifies grave sins.