Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Phala-Saptamī Vow

Devanagari script

मार्गशीर्षे शुभे मासि सप्तम्यां नियतव्रतः तामुपोष्याथ कमलं कारयित्वा तु काञ्चनम् //

Transliteration

mārgaśīrṣe śubhe māsi saptamyāṃ niyatavrataḥ tāmupoṣyātha kamalaṃ kārayitvā tu kāñcanam //

Translation

In the auspicious month of Mārgaśīrṣa, on the seventh lunar day (Saptamī), one disciplined in vow should fast on that day; then, having a lotus made of gold, he should proceed with the rite.

Word by Word

• मार्गशीर्षे (mārgaśīrṣe): in (the month of) Mārgaśīrṣa

• शुभे (śubhe): auspicious

• मासि (māsi): in the month

• सप्तम्यां (saptamyāṃ): on the seventh (tithi), Saptamī

• नियत-व्रतः (niyata-vrataḥ): one observing a regulated vow

• ताम् (tām): that (day/tithi)

• उपोष्य (upoṣya): having fasted/kept a religious fast

• अथ (atha): then

• कमलम् (kamalam): a lotus

• कारयित्वा (kārayitvā): having caused (it) to be made/commissioned

• तु (tu): indeed/then

• काञ्चनम् (kāñcanam): of gold, golden.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu the procedure of a vrata/dāna)

Entities Mentioned

• Mārgaśīrṣa
• Saptamī
• Kamala (lotus)
• Kāñcana (gold)

Tags

• Vrata
• Dāna
• Ritual Fasting
• Puranic Worship
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it prescribes a timed ritual observance (Saptamī in Mārgaśīrṣa) involving fasting and commissioning a golden lotus as part of devotional merit-making.

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

It frames dharma as disciplined practice: a householder (and by extension a king) gains merit through regulated vows (niyata-vrata), fasting on prescribed tithis, and performing sanctioned acts of dāna/offerings.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies the calendrical setting (Mārgaśīrṣa, Saptamī), the austerity (fasting), and the prescribed sacred object (a lotus made of gold), indicating formal materials and icon-like offerings used in Purāṇic worship.