Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Rasakalyāṇinī Vrata: Magha-based Goddess Worship

Devanagari script

घृतमाश्वयुजे तद्वद् ऊर्जे वर्ज्यं च माक्षिकम् धान्यकं मार्गशीर्षे तु पौषे वर्ज्या च शर्करा //

Transliteration

ghṛtamāśvayuje tadvad ūrje varjyaṃ ca mākṣikam dhānyakaṃ mārgaśīrṣe tu pauṣe varjyā ca śarkarā //

Translation

In the month of Āśvayuja one should avoid ghee (ghṛta); likewise, in Ūrja (Kārtika) honey (mākṣika) is to be avoided. In Mārgaśīrṣa one should avoid coriander (dhānyaka), and in Pauṣa sugar (śarkarā) too is to be avoided.

Word by Word

• ghṛtam: ghee/clarified butter

• āśvayuje: in Āśvayuja (Ashvin month)

• tadvad: likewise/in the same manner

• ūrje: in Ūrja (a name for Kārtika)

• varjyam: to be avoided

• ca: and/also

• mākṣikam: honey (lit. that which is from bees)

• dhānyakam: coriander (seed/green)

• mārgaśīrṣe: in Mārgaśīrṣa (Agrahāyaṇa)

• tu: indeed/and

• pauṣe: in Pauṣa

• varjyā: to be avoided (fem., agreeing with śarkarā)

• śarkarā: sugar/sugar-candy

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Āśvayuja
• Ūrja (Kārtika)
• Mārgaśīrṣa
• Pauṣa

Tags

• Dharma
• Vrata
• Ahara-niyama
• Seasonal regimen
• Matsya Purana guidance

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on Dharma in the form of month-wise dietary restraint (āhāra-niyama) as part of vrata and ritual purity.

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

It gives practical discipline for self-control and purity: a householder (and by extension a king setting social standards) is advised to regulate diet according to the month—avoiding specific foods at specific times as a Dharmic observance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: these month-specific avoidances support vrata practice and śauca (purity), which underlies many rites performed in temples and households.