Shloka 28

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

Devanagari script

भुञ्जीतातैललवणं सर्वर्क्षेष्वप्युपोषितः भोजनं च यथाशक्ति वित्तशाठ्यविवर्जितः //

Transliteration

bhuñjītātailalavaṇaṃ sarvarkṣeṣvapyupoṣitaḥ bhojanaṃ ca yathāśakti vittaśāṭhyavivarjitaḥ //

Translation

He should partake only of oil and salt, remaining in a state of fasting on all lunar asterism-days as well; and when he does take food, he should do so according to his capacity, free from any deceit or stinginess regarding wealth.

Word by Word

• भुञ्जीत (bhuñjīta): he should eat/partake

• तैल (taila): oil

• लवणं (lavaṇaṃ): salt

• सर्व (sarva): all

• ऋक्षेषु (rkṣeṣu): on the nakṣatra/asterism days

• अपि (api): even/also

• उपोषितः (upoṣitaḥ): fasting, observing abstinence

• भोजनं (bhojanaṃ): food, meal

• च (ca): and

• यथाशक्ति (yathāśakti): according to one’s ability/capacity

• वित्त (vitta): wealth/resources

• शाठ्य (śāṭhya): deceit, trickery, miserly fraud

• विवर्जितः (vivarjitaḥ): devoid of, abstaining from

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, in the broader didactic dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Nakshatra (ṛkṣa)
• Fasting (upoṣa)
• Wealth (vitta)

Tags

• Dharma
• Vrata
• Fasting
• Ācāra
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it focuses on personal discipline—fasting practices and ethical purity—rather than cosmic creation or dissolution.

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

It prescribes self-restraint (limited diet/fasting) and honesty in handling wealth—virtues expected of both householders and rulers, who must avoid deceitful miserliness while performing vows and daily duties.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is vrata-ācāra: on observance days (including nakṣatra days), one should maintain fasting/abstinence and, when eating, do so moderately and without financial deceit—supporting purity of ritual practice.