Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

अष्टादशानां धान्यानाम् अन्यच्च फलमूलकम् वर्जयेदब्दमेकं तु ऋते औषधकारणम् सवृषं काञ्चनं रुद्रं धर्मराजं च कारयेत् //

Transliteration

aṣṭādaśānāṃ dhānyānām anyacca phalamūlakam varjayedabdamekaṃ tu ṛte auṣadhakāraṇam savṛṣaṃ kāñcanaṃ rudraṃ dharmarājaṃ ca kārayet //

Translation

One should abstain for a full year from the eighteen kinds of grains, and also from other fruits and roots—except when required as medicine. Thereafter, according to one’s means, one should commission golden images of Rudra and of Dharma-rāja, together with a bull.

Word by Word

• aṣṭādaśānām: of eighteen

• dhānyānām: grains/cereals

• anyat ca: and other (foods)

• phala-mūlakam: fruits and roots/tubers

• varjayet: should avoid/abstain from

• abdam ekam: one year

• tu: indeed

• ṛte: except

• auṣadha-kāraṇam: for the purpose of medicine/medical necessity

• sa-vṛṣam: together with a bull

• kāñcanam: golden, made of gold

• rudram: Rudra (Śiva)

• dharmarājam: Dharma-rāja (Yama, lord of righteousness)

• ca: and

• kārayet: should have made/should commission (as a pious act).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Rudra
• Dharma-rāja (Yama)
• Vṛṣa (bull)

Tags

• Dāna
• Vrata
• Austerity
• Image-making
• Punya

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is part of dāna-dharma/vow instructions, focusing on dietary restraint and meritorious gifting rather than cosmology or pralaya.

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

It prescribes a disciplined vow (year-long abstention from grains and produce, with a medical exception) and then a charitable act—commissioning sacred images and a bull—reflecting the householder/kingly duty to cultivate self-control and support dharma through gifts.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it recommends commissioning (kārayet) golden icons of Rudra and Dharma-rāja and associating the gift with a bull—an iconographic/ritual donation practice rather than a Vāstu or temple-construction rule.