Shloka 22

Matsya Purana — The Greatness and Procedure of the Sarva-Phala-Tyaga Vrata

Devanagari script

नारीभिश्च यथाशक्त्या कर्तव्यं द्विजपुंगव एतस्मान्नापरं किंचिद् इह लोके परत्र च व्रतमस्ति मुनिश्रेष्ठ यदनन्तफलप्रदम् //

Transliteration

nārībhiśca yathāśaktyā kartavyaṃ dvijapuṃgava etasmānnāparaṃ kiṃcid iha loke paratra ca vratamasti muniśreṣṭha yadanantaphalapradam //

Translation

O best among twice-born men, women too should perform this observance according to their ability. For there is no other vow, O foremost of sages, in this world or the next that grants such endless fruit.

Word by Word

• nārībhiḥ: by women

• ca: also

• yathā-śaktyā: according to one’s capacity

• kartavyam: should be performed

• dvija-puṅgava: O bull among the twice-born (excellent Brāhmaṇa)

• etasmāt: than this (vow/observance)

• na aparam: no other

• kiñcit: anything at all

• iha loke: in this world

• paratra ca: and in the next world

• vratam asti: a vow exists/is found

• muni-śreṣṭha: O best of sages

• yat: which

• ananta-phala-pradam: bestowing endless results (inexhaustible merit).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (as narrator-teacher in dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Women (nārī)
• Dvija (twice-born)
• Munis (sages)

Tags

• Dharma
• Vrata
• Stri-dharma
• Merit (Punya)
• Ritual observance

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it emphasizes dharma through vrata, stating that this observance yields inexhaustible merit in both this life and the next.

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

It supports household dharma by affirming that women, like other members of society, may undertake a prescribed vow according to capacity, and that such vrata is a powerful source of lasting merit for the family and individual.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: the verse highlights the supremacy of a particular vrata (observance) and its ‘ananta-phala’ (endless results), implying careful performance within one’s means.