Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

*ईश्वर उवाच सम्यक्पृष्टं त्वया ब्रह्मन् सर्वलोकहितावहम् श्रुतमप्यत्र यच्छान्त्यै तद्व्रतं शृणु नारद //

Transliteration

*īśvara uvāca samyakpṛṣṭaṃ tvayā brahman sarvalokahitāvaham śrutamapyatra yacchāntyai tadvrataṃ śṛṇu nārada //

Translation

The Lord said: “O Brahmin, you have asked rightly—a question that brings welfare to all the worlds. Even if it has been heard before, for the sake of peace (śānti) listen, O Nārada, to that sacred vow (vrata).”

Word by Word

• īśvaraḥ: the Lord

• uvāca: said

• samyak: rightly, properly

• pṛṣṭam: asked, inquired

• tvayā: by you

• brahman: O Brahmin (revered sage)

• sarva-loka-hita-āvaham: bringing benefit/welfare to all worlds

• śrutam api: even if heard (already)

• atra: here, in this context/teaching

• yat: which

• śāntyai: for peace, pacification

• tat: that

• vratam: vow, religious observance

• śṛṇu: listen

• nārada: O Nārada.

Speaker

• Īśvara (the Lord, traditionally Lord Matsya/Vishnu in the Matsya Purana dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Īśvara
• Nārada

Tags

• Vrata
• Shanti
• Dharma
• Ritual
• Puranic Dialogue

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it frames a dharma-teaching where the Lord introduces a śānti-vrata aimed at restoring peace and welfare in the worlds.

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

It emphasizes that asking about and practicing śānti-producing vows is “for the welfare of all worlds,” aligning with the king’s duty of lokasaṃgraha (public good) and the householder’s duty to maintain social and cosmic harmony through dharmic observances.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architectural rules are not mentioned; the ritual significance is the introduction of a specific vrata (vowed observance) prescribed for śānti (pacification), implying a structured rite or discipline to be explained in the following verses.