Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — The Ravi-Śayana

Devanagari script

*ईश्वर उवाच उपवासे ऽप्यशक्तानां नक्तं भोजनमिष्यते यस्मिन्व्रते तदप्यत्र श्रूयतामक्षयं महत् //

Transliteration

*īśvara uvāca upavāse 'pyaśaktānāṃ naktaṃ bhojanamiṣyate yasminvrate tadapyatra śrūyatāmakṣayaṃ mahat //

Translation

Īśvara said: Even for those unable to keep a full fast, a single meal at night (nakta-bhojana) is permitted in that vow. Now hear of the great, imperishable merit that arises from it.

Word by Word

• īśvara uvāca: the Lord said

• upavāse api: even in fasting/while observing a fast

• aśaktānām: of those who are unable (incapable)

• naktaṃ: at night

• bhojanam: भोजन, eating/meal

• iṣyate: is approved/allowed

• yasmin vrate: in whichever vow/observance

• tad api: that too/even that (alternative)

• atra: here (in this teaching)

• śrūyatām: let it be heard/hear now

• akṣayam: imperishable, inexhaustible

• mahat: great (merit/result)

Speaker

• Īśvara (Lord Matsya/Vishnu in dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Īśvara

Tags

• Vrata
• Upavasa
• Nakta-bhojana
• Dharma
• Ritual

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on vrata-dharma, specifically compassionate allowances within fasting observances.

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

It frames dharma as practicable: a householder (and by extension a king guiding subjects) may permit nakta-bhojana for those unable to fast fully, preserving the vow’s intent while avoiding harm.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is procedural: in a vrata, if strict fasting is not possible, a sanctioned substitute is a single night-meal, still said to yield “akṣaya” (enduring) religious merit.