Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — The Observance of Ananta-Tritiya

Devanagari script

शुक्लाक्षततिलैरर्च्यां ततो देवीं सदार्चयेत् पादाद्यभ्यर्चनं कुर्यात् प्रतिपक्षं वरानने //

Transliteration

śuklākṣatatilairarcyāṃ tato devīṃ sadārcayet pādādyabhyarcanaṃ kuryāt pratipakṣaṃ varānane //

Translation

After offering white rice-grains (akṣata) and sesame, one should then worship the Goddess continually. O fair-faced one, one should perform adoration beginning with her feet and so on, in each fortnight.

Word by Word

• śukla: white

• akṣata: unbroken rice-grains used in worship

• tilaiḥ: with sesame seeds

• arcyām: in the act of worship/with offerings for worship

• tataḥ: thereafter

• devīm: the Goddess

• sadā: always/regularly

• arcayet: should worship

• pāda-ādi: beginning with the feet and onwards

• abhyarcanaṃ: detailed reverential worship

• kuryāt: should do/perform

• pratipakṣam: every pakṣa (each fortnight)

• varānane: O beautiful/fair-faced one (vocative address).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, addressing him with a courteous epithet)

Entities Mentioned

• Devi (the Goddess)
• akṣata
• tila
• pakṣa (fortnight)

Tags

• Devi Worship
• Archana Vidhi
• Upachara
• Vrata
• Ritual Procedure

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it prescribes a regular, methodical procedure for worship of the Goddess using specific offerings and a structured sequence of adoration.

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

It frames worship as a disciplined, periodic duty—performed regularly and every fortnight—reflecting the householder/kingly ideal of sustaining dharma through consistent ritual observance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies standard puja materials (white akṣata and sesame) and a canonical worship order (beginning from the feet), indicating formal icon/Devi-archana protocol used in temple and home worship.