Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — The Nakṣatra-Puruṣa Vrata: Worship of Viṣṇu’s Cosmic Body through the Lunar M...

Devanagari script

पृष्ठं धनिष्ठासु च पूजनीयम् अघौघविध्वंसकराय तच्च श्रीशङ्खचक्रासिगदाधराय नमो विशाखासु भुजाश्च पूज्याः //

Transliteration

pṛṣṭhaṃ dhaniṣṭhāsu ca pūjanīyam aghaughavidhvaṃsakarāya tacca śrīśaṅkhacakrāsigadādharāya namo viśākhāsu bhujāśca pūjyāḥ //

Translation

On Dhaniṣṭhā, the Lord’s back should be worshipped—He who destroys the multitude of sins, the glorious bearer of conch, discus, sword, and mace. And on Viśākhā, His arms should be worshipped.

Word by Word

• pṛṣṭham: the back (of the deity)

• dhaniṣṭhāsu: on (the days of) Dhaniṣṭhā nakṣatra

• ca: and

• pūjanīyam: is to be worshipped

• agha-ogha: a flood/mass of sins

• vidhvaṃsa-karāya: to the one who causes destruction (of them)

• tat ca: and that (same Lord)

• śrī-śaṅkha-cakra-asi-gadā-dharāya: to the glorious bearer of conch, discus, sword, and mace

• namaḥ: salutations

• viśākhāsu: on (the days of) Viśākhā nakṣatra

• bhujāḥ: arms

• ca: and

• pūjyāḥ: should be worshipped.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within Matsya Purana’s teaching dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu (as the deity with Shankha-Chakra-Gada-Asi)
• Dhaniṣṭhā Nakṣatra
• Viśākhā Nakṣatra

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Iconography
• Ritual Timing
• Nakshatra Worship
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it focuses on ritual scheduling—worshipping specific limbs of Vishnu according to nakṣatras—reflecting the Purana’s concern with maintaining cosmic order (ṛta) through correct worship.

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

It supports the king/householder duty of sustaining dharma through regular, properly-timed worship. Observing nakṣatra-based rites is presented as a disciplined practice that removes sin (agha-ogha) and promotes auspiciousness in personal and public life.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes nakṣatra-specific worship of the deity’s body parts (Vishnu’s back on Dhaniṣṭhā, arms on Viśākhā). Such prescriptions are used in temple liturgy and iconographic worship sequences aligned with the lunar calendar.