Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — The Procedure and Merit of the Śubha-Saptamī Vrata

Devanagari script

पुण्येन चाश्वयुजे मासि कृतस्नानजपः शुचिः वाचयित्वा ततो विप्रान् आरभेच्छुभसप्तमीम् //

Transliteration

puṇyena cāśvayuje māsi kṛtasnānajapaḥ śuciḥ vācayitvā tato viprān ārabhecchubhasaptamīm //

Translation

In the holy month of Āśvayuja, having bathed and performed japa, remaining pure, one should then have brāhmaṇas recite the sacred texts and thereafter begin the auspicious Saptamī observance.

Word by Word

• पुण्येन (puṇyena): with merit/auspiciousness

• च (ca): and

• आश्वयुजे मासि (āśvayuje māsi): in the month of Āśvayuja

• कृतस्नानजपः (kṛta-snānajapaḥ): having performed bathing and mantra-recitation

• शुचिः (śuciḥ): pure, clean

• वाचयित्वा (vācayitvā): having caused to be recited/read aloud

• ततः (tataḥ): then/thereafter

• विप्रान् (viprān): brāhmaṇas

• आरभेत् (ārabhet): should commence/undertake

• शुभसप्तमीम् (śubha-saptamīm): the auspicious Saptamī (seventh lunar day) rite/vrata.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating Matsya Purāṇa teachings in a vrata-dharma context; traditionally framed as discourse ultimately deriving from Lord Matsya to Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Brāhmaṇas (Vipras)
• Āśvayuja (sacred month)
• Saptamī (lunar seventh day)

Tags

• Vrata
• Ritual purity
• Āśvayuja month
• Saptamī
• Brāhmaṇa recitation

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on vrata-dharma—purificatory bathing, japa, and beginning an auspicious Saptamī observance in Āśvayuja.

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

It prescribes a householder-style dharmic routine: maintain purity, perform snāna and japa, honor learned brāhmaṇas through recitation, and then undertake the vow—model conduct applicable to rulers as well as householders.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): the rite is to be initiated after purification and after arranging brāhmaṇa-led recitation, indicating that correct sequencing and śauca (purity) are essential to the Saptamī vrata.