Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — The Observance of Viśoka-Dvādaśī: A Lakṣmī–Viṣṇu Vow for Sorrow-Removal and P...

Devanagari script

पुण्यमाश्वयुजे मासि विशोकद्वादशीव्रतम् दशम्यां लघुभुग्विद्वान् आरभेन्नियमेन तु //

Transliteration

puṇyamāśvayuje māsi viśokadvādaśīvratam daśamyāṃ laghubhugvidvān ārabhenniyamena tu //

Translation

In the auspicious month of Āśvayuja, the learned person should begin the sacred Viśoka-Dvādaśī vow. On the tenth day (Daśamī), eating lightly, he should undertake it with disciplined observances.

Word by Word

• puṇyam: auspicious/meritorious

• āśvayuje māsi: in the month of Āśvayuja (Ashwin)

• viśoka-dvādaśī-vratam: the Viśoka Dvādaśī religious vow

• daśamyām: on the tenth lunar day (Daśamī)

• laghu-bhug: one who eats lightly/partakes of light food

• vidvān: a learned person

• ārabhet: should begin/undertake

• niyamena: with restraint/regulated discipline

• tu: indeed/and

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within vrata-dharma teaching)

Entities Mentioned

• Āśvayuja
• Viśoka-Dvādaśī
• Daśamī

Tags

• Vrata
• Dharma
• Vishnu
• Fasting
• Ritual Procedure

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on ritual discipline—how to commence the Viśoka-Dvādaśī vow in the month of Āśvayuja with regulated conduct.

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

It presents a practical dharma guideline: a disciplined householder (and by extension a king as an exemplar of dharma) should begin the vow from Daśamī, adopting light food and restraint (niyama) as preparation for Dvādaśī observance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is procedural: the vrata is initiated on Daśamī with light eating and regulated observances, indicating preparatory purification before the Dvādaśī vow.