Shloka 20

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

Devanagari script

आर्द्रासु केशाः पुरुषोत्तमस्य संपूजनीया हरये नमस्ते उपोषितेनर्क्षदिनेषु भक्त्या संपूजनीया द्विजपुंगवाः स्युः //

Transliteration

ārdrāsu keśāḥ puruṣottamasya saṃpūjanīyā haraye namaste upoṣitenarkṣadineṣu bhaktyā saṃpūjanīyā dvijapuṃgavāḥ syuḥ //

Translation

On the days of the Ārdrā nakṣatra, the hair (locks) of Puruṣottama should be worshipped—salutations to Hari. And on the days marked by the nakṣatras, when one has fasted with devotion, the foremost Brāhmaṇas should likewise be duly honored and worshipped.

Word by Word

• ārd्रāsu (Ārdrā-days): on the days of the Ārdrā nakṣatra

• keśāḥ: hair/locks

• puruṣottamasya: of Puruṣottama (Vishnu, the Supreme Person)

• saṃpūjanīyāḥ: to be thoroughly worshipped/honored

• haraye: to Hari (Vishnu)

• namas te: salutations to you

• upoṣitena: by one who has fasted/after fasting

• rkṣa-dineṣu: on nakṣatra-days (asterism-marked days)

• bhaktyā: with devotion

• saṃpūjanīyāḥ: to be honored/worshipped

• dvija-puṃgavāḥ: the best of the twice-born (excellent Brahmanas)

• syuḥ: should be/are to be.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (likely context of vrata/nakshatra observances)

Entities Mentioned

• Puruṣottama (Vishnu)
• Hari
• Ārdrā (Nakṣatra)
• Dvijapuṅgava (foremost Brahmanas)

Tags

• Vrata
• Nakshatra
• Vishnu Worship
• Upavasa
• Dana-Honor to Brahmanas

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it belongs to dharma/vrata practice, prescribing nakṣatra-based devotion to Hari and the honoring of Brahmanas as a religious discipline.

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

It frames a householder/kingly duty as disciplined observance: fasting on auspicious nakṣatra days, worshipping Vishnu (Puruṣottama), and supporting the foremost Brahmanas—actions that sustain dharma and social-religious order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): nakṣatra-timed worship of Hari and post-fast honor (pūjā/satkāra) to eminent Brahmanas, indicating calendrical (astral) scheduling in Matsya Purana ritual procedure.