Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Rite and Layout for Consecrating Ponds

Devanagari script

प्राप्य पक्षं शुभं शुक्लम् अतीते चोत्तरायणे पुण्ये ऽह्नि विप्रकथिते कृत्वा ब्राह्मणवाचनम् //

Transliteration

prāpya pakṣaṃ śubhaṃ śuklam atīte cottarāyaṇe puṇye 'hni viprakathite kṛtvā brāhmaṇavācanam //

Translation

Having obtained the auspicious bright fortnight (śukla pakṣa), and when the Uttarāyaṇa has begun, on a meritorious day as declared by learned Brahmins, one should arrange for the recitation of sacred texts by Brahmins.

Word by Word

• prāpya: having obtained/after reaching

• pakṣam: fortnight (lunar half)

• śubham: auspicious

• śuklam: bright (waxing) fortnight

• atīte: when it has passed/when completed

• ca: and

• uttarāyaṇe: in the northward course of the sun (Uttarāyaṇa)

• puṇye: holy/meritorious

• ahni: on a day

• vipra-kathite: as stated/declared by Brahmins

• kṛtvā: having done/performing

• brāhmaṇa-vācanam: Brahmin recitation/causing Brahmins to recite sacred lore

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, ritual instruction context)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmins (Vipra/Brāhmaṇa)
• Uttarāyaṇa
• Śukla-pakṣa

Tags

• Dharma
• Ritual timing
• Śukla-pakṣa
• Uttarāyaṇa
• Brāhmaṇa-vācana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on dharma-oriented ritual timing—selecting the bright fortnight and the Uttarāyaṇa season for merit-producing observances involving Brahmin recitation.

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

It instructs the householder or patron-king to follow kāla-nirṇaya (proper calendrical timing) and to sponsor Vedic/Purāṇic recitation by qualified Brahmins on an auspicious day, reflecting righteous patronage and orderly religious life.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the selection of auspicious time—Śukla-pakṣa, Uttarāyaṇa, and a day approved by Brahmins—before commissioning brāhmaṇa-vācana, a common preliminary for vows, donations, consecrations, and other rites.