Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Ravi-Saṅkrānti Vow: Udyāpana

Devanagari script

अयने विषुवे वापि संक्रान्तिव्रतमाचरेत् पूर्वेद्युरेकभक्तेन दन्तधावनपूर्वकम् संक्रान्तिवासरे प्रातस् तिलैः स्नानं विधीयते //

Transliteration

ayane viṣuve vāpi saṃkrāntivratamācaret pūrvedyurekabhaktena dantadhāvanapūrvakam saṃkrāntivāsare prātas tilaiḥ snānaṃ vidhīyate //

Translation

On an ayana (solstitial turning) or on a viṣuva (equinox) as well, one should undertake the Saṃkrānti vow. On the previous day, having first cleansed the teeth, one should eat only once; and on the day of Saṃkrānti itself, an early-morning bath with sesame (tila) is prescribed.

Word by Word

• अयने (ayane): at the solstice/ayana

• विषुवे (viṣuve): at the equinox

• वा अपि (vā api): or also

• संक्रान्ति-व्रतम् (saṃkrānti-vratam): the vow/observance for Saṃkrānti

• आचरेत् (ācaret): should perform/undertake

• पूर्वेद्युः (pūrvedyuḥ): on the previous day

• एक-भक्तेन (eka-bhaktena): with one meal only (single repast)

• दन्त-धावन-पूर्वकम् (danta-dhāvana-pūrvakam): preceded by tooth-cleaning/purificatory brushing

• संक्रान्ति-वासरे (saṃkrānti-vāsare): on the day of Saṃkrānti

• प्रातः (prātaḥ): in the morning/at dawn

• तिलैः (tilaiḥ): with sesame seeds (tila)

• स्नानम् (snānam): bath

• विधीयते (vidhīyate): is enjoined/prescribed.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructional discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, traditional framing)

Entities Mentioned

• Saṃkrānti
• Ayana
• Viṣuva
• Tila (sesame)

Tags

• Dharma
• Vrata
• Saṃkrānti
• Ritual Bath
• Purification

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya directly; it focuses on dharmic timekeeping—treating solar turning-points (ayana/viṣuva/saṃkrānti) as ritually potent moments requiring purification and restraint.

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

It sets a practical vrata for disciplined living: the householder (and by extension a king as exemplar) should observe restraint (single meal the prior day) and bodily purity (tooth-cleaning and dawn bath), aligning personal conduct with sacred calendrical transitions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is the Saṃkrānti procedure: prepare with ekabhakta on the previous day and perform an early-morning tila-snāna on Saṃkrānti—an auspicious purification commonly paired with dāna and other rites in Purāṇic practice.