Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — The Aśūnyaśayana Vrata

Devanagari script

श्रीवत्सधारिञ्छ्रीकान्त श्रीधामञ्छ्रीपते ऽव्यय गार्हस्थ्यं मा प्रणाशं मे यातु धर्मार्थकामदम् //

Transliteration

śrīvatsadhāriñchrīkānta śrīdhāmañchrīpate 'vyaya gārhasthyaṃ mā praṇāśaṃ me yātu dharmārthakāmadam //

Translation

O bearer of the Śrīvatsa mark, O beloved of Śrī, O abode of splendor—O Lord of Lakṣmī, imperishable One—may my householder life not come to ruin; may it remain for me as the giver of dharma, artha, and kāma.

Word by Word

• śrīvatsadhārin: bearer of the Śrīvatsa mark

• chrīkānta: beloved of Śrī (Lakṣmī)

• śrīdhāman: abode of splendor/fortune

• chrīpati: Lord of Śrī (Lakṣmī)

• avyaya: imperishable, undecaying

• gārhasthyam: the householder stage of life, domestic order

• mā: not, may it not

• praṇāśam: destruction, ruin

• me: for me, my

• yātu: may it go/turn out (as), may it become

• dharma-artha-kāma-dam: bestowing dharma (righteousness), artha (prosperity), and kāma (legitimate enjoyment).

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (as a devotee praying to Lord Viṣṇu/Matsya)

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu
• Sri (Lakshmi)
• Srivatsa

Tags

• Grihastha Dharma
• Prayer
• Lakshmi-Vishnu
• Purusharthas
• Householder ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya directly; it focuses on preserving gārhasthya (householder life) as a stable foundation for pursuing dharma, artha, and kāma under divine protection.

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

It frames household life as a legitimate and sacred āśrama meant to yield the puruṣārthas—especially dharma and artha—implying that a householder (and by extension a ruler) should seek prosperity and enjoyment only when anchored in righteousness and devotion.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or temple-architecture rule appears here; the ritual significance is devotional—an address to Viṣṇu as Śrīpati and Śrīvatsadhārin, used as a protective prayer for domestic stability and auspiciousness.