Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — The Aśūnyaśayana Vrata

Devanagari script

न तस्य पत्न्या विरहः कदाचिदपि जायते नारी वा विधवा ब्रह्मन् यावच्चन्द्रार्कतारकम् न विरूपौ न शोकार्तौ दम्पती भवतः क्वचित् //

Transliteration

na tasya patnyā virahaḥ kadācidapi jāyate nārī vā vidhavā brahman yāvaccandrārkatārakam na virūpau na śokārtau dampatī bhavataḥ kvacit //

Translation

O Brahman, for him there never arises separation from his wife; the woman does not become a widow so long as the moon, sun, and stars endure. The couple is never disfigured, nor afflicted by grief, at any time.

Word by Word

• na: not

• tasya: of him/for him

• patnyāḥ: from the wife (gen.)

• virahaḥ: separation

• kadācid api: ever/at any time

• jāyate: arises/comes to be

• nārī: woman

• vā: or/indeed

• vidhavā: widow

• brahman: O Brahman

• yāvat: as long as

• candra-arka-tārakam: the moon, sun, and stars (as celestial markers of time)

• na: not

• virūpau: disfigured/ugly (dual)

• na: not

• śoka-ārtau: afflicted by sorrow (dual)

• dampatī: the married pair/couple (dual)

• bhavataḥ: become/are (dual sense)

• kvacit: anywhere/ever

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching/boon-fruit statement in a dharma-phala style passage; commonly framed within the Matsya–Manu dialogue tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahman
• Chandra (Moon)
• Arka (Sun)
• Tārā (Stars)

Tags

• Grihastha Dharma
• Marital Harmony
• Widowhood Prevention (Phala)
• Auspicious Results
• Ethical Guidance

FAQs

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

It does not discuss Pralaya directly; it uses enduring cosmic markers (sun, moon, stars) to express the long-lasting nature of a marital blessing.

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

It aligns with gṛhastha-dharma ideals: stability of marriage, avoidance of widowhood and grief, and the pursuit of auspicious, orderly family life—an ethical foundation also valued for social order under a righteous king.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or temple-ritual rule appears in this verse; it is a phala (benefit) statement promising marital well-being, often associated in Purāṇic contexts with observances, vows, or meritorious acts described nearby.