Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — Sādhāraṇa Śrāddha: General Ancestral Rite

Devanagari script

आर्द्रामघारोहिणीषु द्रव्यब्राह्मणसंगमे गजच्छायाव्यतीपाते विष्टिवैधृतिवासरे //

Transliteration

ārdrāmaghārohiṇīṣu dravyabrāhmaṇasaṃgame gajacchāyāvyatīpāte viṣṭivaidhṛtivāsare //

Translation

On the days of the nakṣatras Ārdrā, Maghā, and Rohiṇī; at a conjunction involving wealth and a brāhmaṇa; during Gaja-chāyā and Vyatīpāta; and on days marked by Viṣṭi (Bhadrā) and Vaidhṛti—these times are regarded as unsuitable for commencing auspicious undertakings.

Word by Word

• आर्द्रा (ārdrā): the Ārdrā lunar mansion

• मघा (maghā): the Maghā lunar mansion

• रोहिणीषु (rohiṇīṣu): in/under Rohiṇī (nakṣatra)

• द्रव्य (dravya): wealth, valuables, property

• ब्राह्मण (brāhmaṇa): a brāhmaṇa, priestly person

• संगमे (saṃgame): at a meeting/conjunction/encounter

• गजच्छाया (gaja-chāyā): “elephant-shadow” (an inauspicious time-sign/phenomenon used in muhūrta lore)

• व्यतीपाते (vyatīpāte): during Vyatīpāta (inauspicious yoga)

• विष्टि (viṣṭi): Viṣṭi/Bhadrā karaṇa (inauspicious half-tithi)

• वैधृति (vaidhṛti): Vaidhṛti (inauspicious yoga)

• वासरे (vāsare): on the day, on that weekday/time.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, muhūrta/ritual-dharma context)

Entities Mentioned

• Ārdrā
• Maghā
• Rohiṇī
• Vyatīpāta
• Viṣṭi (Bhadrā)
• Vaidhṛti
• Brāhmaṇa

Tags

• Dharma
• Muhūrta
• Nakshatra
• Yoga
• Ritual timing
• Auspiciousness

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a dharma/muhūrta guideline listing specific nakṣatras, yogas, and karaṇas considered inauspicious for beginning auspicious rites.

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

It guides kings and householders to avoid initiating major acts—such as gifts, contracts, journeys, consecrations, or other ‘śubha’ undertakings—during inauspicious calendrical combinations like Vyatīpāta, Vaidhṛti, and Viṣṭi (Bhadrā).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

In Vāstu and temple-ritual practice, selecting a proper muhūrta is essential; this verse flags times (e.g., Vyatīpāta, Vaidhṛti, Viṣṭi/Bhadrā) typically avoided for foundation-laying, prāṇa-pratiṣṭhā, and other consecratory rites.