Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — The Ravi-Śayana

Devanagari script

*नारद उवाच उपवासेष्वशक्तस्य तदेव फलमिच्छतः अनभ्यासेन रोगाद्वा किमिष्टं व्रतमुत्तमम् //

Transliteration

*nārada uvāca upavāseṣvaśaktasya tadeva phalamicchataḥ anabhyāsena rogādvā kimiṣṭaṃ vratamuttamam //

Translation

Nārada said: For one who is unable to undertake fasts, yet desires the same merit—whether from lack of practice or because of illness—what is the most excellent and acceptable vow (vrata) to observe?

Word by Word

• nāradaḥ uvāca: Nārada said

• upavāseṣu: in fasts / in the practice of fasting

• aśaktasya: of one who is incapable

• tad eva: that very (same)

• phalam: fruit, merit, result

• icchataḥ: of one who desires

• anabhyāsena: due to non-practice / lack of habituation

• rogāt vā: or due to illness

• kim: what?

• iṣṭam: desired, approved, acceptable

• vratam: vow, religious observance

• uttamam: best, most excellent

Speaker

• Narada

Entities Mentioned

• Narada

Tags

• Vrata
• Dharma
• Fasting
• Atonement
• Ritual

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on dharma—how a devotee may still obtain religious merit when fasting is not feasible.

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

It frames a practical dharma question: householders (and rulers) must adapt religious observances to health and capacity, seeking an approved vow that preserves the intended spiritual merit without causing harm.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the principle of “substitute observance” (an alternative vrata) when upavāsa is impossible, implying that intention and approved procedure can preserve the vow’s fruit.