Shloka 15

Matsya Purana — Śarkarā-Saptamī Vrata: The Sugar Offering Rite to Savitṛ

Devanagari script

शर्करासप्तमी चेयं वाजिमेधफलप्रदा सर्वदुष्टप्रशमनी पुत्रपौत्रप्रवर्धिनी //

Transliteration

śarkarāsaptamī ceyaṃ vājimedhaphalapradā sarvaduṣṭapraśamanī putrapautrapravardhinī //

Translation

This Śarkarā-Saptamī (the seventh lunar-day observance involving sugar) bestows the fruit of the Aśvamedha sacrifice; it pacifies all evil influences and promotes the increase of sons and grandsons.

Word by Word

• śarkarā-saptamī: the Śarkarā-Saptamī observance (Saptamī associated with śarkarā, sugar)

• ca: and/indeed

• iyam: this

• vājimedha-phala-pradā: bestower of the fruit (merit) of the Aśvamedha (horse-sacrifice)

• sarva-duṣṭa-praśamanī: pacifier/remover of all harmful/evil (forces, sins, afflictions)

• putra-pautra-pravardhinī: increaser/promoter of sons and grandsons (lineage/progeny)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya Purana’s teaching dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Śarkarā-Saptamī
• Aśvamedha (Vājimedha)

Tags

• Vrata
• Ritual
• Dharma
• Merit (Phala)
• Progeny

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on vrata-mahātmya—stating the spiritual merit and protective effects of observing Śarkarā-Saptamī.

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

It frames a householder-friendly dharmic practice: observing a specific Saptamī vrata is said to yield great merit (likened to Aśvamedha) and supports lineage continuity (sons and grandsons), a key aim in gṛhastha-dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: the Śarkarā-Saptamī observance (involving śarkarā, sugar) is praised as highly meritorious, protective against harmful influences, and conducive to prosperity and progeny.