Shloka 26

Matsya Purana — The Observance of Ananta-Tritiya

Devanagari script

पञ्चगव्यं च बिल्वं च प्राशयेत्क्रमशस्तदा एतद्भाद्रपदाद्यं तु प्राशनं समुदाहृतम् //

Transliteration

pañcagavyaṃ ca bilvaṃ ca prāśayetkramaśastadā etadbhādrapadādyaṃ tu prāśanaṃ samudāhṛtam //

Translation

Then one should ingest, in the proper sequence, pañcagavya and bilva (the bael fruit/leaf). This is declared to be the prescribed prāśana—ritual ingestion—for the commencement of the month of Bhādrapada.

Word by Word

• पञ्चगव्यम् (pañcagavyam): the five cow-products used ritually (milk, curd, ghee, urine, dung)

• च (ca): and

• बिल्वम् (bilvam): bilva/bael (Aegle marmelos), considered purifying

• च (ca): and

• प्राशयेत् (prāśayet): one should make (oneself) ingest / should partake

• क्रमशः (kramaśaḥ): in order, sequentially

• तदा (tadā): then, at that time

• एतत् (etat): this

• भाद्रपद-आद्यम् (bhādrapada-ādyam): the beginning of Bhādrapada (month)

• तु (tu): indeed

• प्राशनम् (prāśanam): ritual eating/ingestion as an observance

• समुदाहृतम् (samudāhṛtam): is proclaimed/defined (as such).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhādrapada
• Pañcagavya
• Bilva

Tags

• Dharma
• Vrata
• Ritual
• Purification
• Ācāra

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on ācamana/śuddhi-type monthly observance—ritual purification through prescribed ingestion at the start of Bhādrapada.

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

It frames a practical āchāra guideline: a householder (and by extension a king as moral exemplar) maintains ritual purity and seasonal discipline by observing month-beginning rites such as prāśana with pañcagavya and bilva.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): pañcagavya is a classic purificatory substance in Purāṇic practice, and bilva is a sanctifying plant; together they mark a calendrical vrata-style prāśana for Bhādrapada’s commencement.