Shloka 8

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

Devanagari script

प्रतिमां वासुदेवस्य मूलर्क्षादिषु चार्चयेत् चैत्रमासं समासाद्य कृत्वा ब्राह्मणवाचनम् //

Transliteration

pratimāṃ vāsudevasya mūlarkṣādiṣu cārcayet caitramāsaṃ samāsādya kṛtvā brāhmaṇavācanam //

Translation

One should worship the image of Vāsudeva on auspicious lunar-asterism days beginning with Mūla; and when the month of Caitra arrives, one should arrange for Brāhmaṇas to perform the sacred recitation (vācana).

Word by Word

• प्रतिमाम् (pratimām): image, icon

• वासुदेवस्य (vāsudevasya): of Vāsudeva (Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa)

• मूलर्क्षादिषु (mūlarkṣādiṣu): on asterism-days beginning with Mūla and other nakṣatras

• च (ca): and

• अर्चयेत् (arcayet): should worship, should offer ritual honor

• चैत्रमासम् (caitramāsam): the month of Caitra

• समासाद्य (samāsādya): having reached, when it comes

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having done, having arranged

• ब्राह्मणवाचनम् (brāhmaṇavācanam): Brāhmaṇas’ recitation/reading (of scripture), ceremonial chanting.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Vāsudeva
• Brāhmaṇas
• Mūla Nakṣatra
• Caitra (month)

Tags

• Puja
• Pratima
• Vaishnava
• Nakshatra
• Vrata

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it prescribes calendrical worship—honoring Vāsudeva’s image on specific nakṣatra-days and arranging Brāhmaṇa recitation in Caitra.

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

It frames a householder (and by extension a king as patron) duty of sustaining dharma through regular image-worship and supporting Brāhmaṇas for scriptural recitation, especially in the auspicious month of Caitra.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it links pratima-pūjā with auspicious timing (nakṣatras like Mūla) and public/household merit-making via Brāhmaṇa vācana—key components of Purāṇic temple/house worship cycles.