Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — The Maheshvara Vow: Śiva-Caturdaśī Vrata

Devanagari script

पञ्चदश्यां च सम्पूज्य विप्रान्भुञ्जीत वाग्यतः तद्वत्कृष्णचतुर्दश्याम् एतत्सर्वं समाचरेत् //

Transliteration

pañcadaśyāṃ ca sampūjya viprānbhuñjīta vāgyataḥ tadvatkṛṣṇacaturdaśyām etatsarvaṃ samācaret //

Translation

On the fifteenth lunar day (Pañcadaśī), having duly worshipped and honored the Brahmanas, one should feed them while restraining one’s speech; likewise, on the fourteenth day of the dark fortnight (Kṛṣṇa‑caturdaśī), one should perform all these same observances.

Word by Word

• pañcadaśyām: on the fifteenth (tithi)

• ca: and

• sampūjya: having fully honored/worshipped

• viprān: Brahmanas/learned priests

• bhuñjīta: should feed/offer a meal (make them eat)

• vāgyataḥ: with speech restrained, in silence/with controlled words

• tadvat: in the same manner

• kṛṣṇa-caturdaśyām: on the fourteenth tithi of the dark fortnight

• etat: this

• sarvam: all (these acts)

• samācaret: should practice/perform properly.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Vipras (Brahmanas)
• Pañcadaśī (15th tithi)
• Kṛṣṇa-caturdaśī (dark fortnight 14th tithi)

Tags

• Dharma
• Vrata
• Tithi
• Dana
• Brahmana-bhojana

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it focuses on dharmic ritual discipline—honoring and feeding Brahmanas on specific lunar tithis with restraint of speech.

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

It prescribes a householder-style duty (and likewise a king’s public dharma): honoring learned Brahmanas, providing food (bhojana/dāna), and practicing self-control (vāg-yama) on auspicious/ritually significant tithis.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is tithi-based observance: on Pañcadaśī and on Kṛṣṇa-caturdaśī one should repeat the same sequence—formal honoring (sampūjya), Brahmana-feeding, and disciplined speech—indicating a standardized vrata procedure.