Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — Phala-Saptamī Vow

Devanagari script

शर्करापात्रसंयुक्तं वस्त्रमाल्यसमन्वितम् संवत्सरं च तेनैव विधिनोभयसप्तमीम् //

Transliteration

śarkarāpātrasaṃyuktaṃ vastramālyasamanvitam saṃvatsaraṃ ca tenaiva vidhinobhayasaptamīm //

Translation

Along with a vessel filled with sugar, and accompanied by cloth and garlands, one should observe—by that very prescribed method—the ‘Ubhaya-saptamī’ vow for a full year.

Word by Word

• शर्करा (śarkarā): sugar/candy

• पात्र (pātra): vessel, bowl

• संयुक्तम् (saṃyuktam): joined with, accompanied by

• वस्त्र (vastra): cloth, garment

• माल्य (mālya): garland

• समन्वितम् (samanvitam): endowed with, furnished with

• संवत्सरम् (saṃvatsaram): for a year

• च (ca): and

• तेनैव (tenaiva): by that very (means/method)

• विधिना (vidhinā): according to the rule, prescribed procedure

• उभयसप्तमीम् (ubhayasaptamīm): the ‘Ubhaya Saptamī’ observance (a Saptamī vow involving dual aspects/offerings).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Ubhaya-saptamī

Tags

• Vrata
• Saptami
• Dana
• Ritual
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on vrata-dharma—how to perform a specific Saptamī observance with prescribed offerings over a year.

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

It frames dharma as disciplined, time-bound practice: a householder (and likewise a king) sustains religious merit through regulated vows (vrata), purity of method (vidhi), and appropriate dāna-like accompaniments (cloth, garlands, and a sugar vessel).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual-procedural: the verse specifies the standard accompaniments for the Ubhaya-saptamī vrata—offering a sugar-filled vessel along with cloth and garlands—and emphasizes completing the observance for a full year according to rule (vidhi).