Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — The Rite of the Vibhūti-Dvādaśī Vow

Devanagari script

एकादश्यां निराहारः समभ्यर्च्य जनार्दनम् द्वादश्यां द्विजसंयुक्तः करिष्ये भोजनं विभो //

Transliteration

ekādaśyāṃ nirāhāraḥ samabhyarcya janārdanam dvādaśyāṃ dvijasaṃyuktaḥ kariṣye bhojanaṃ vibho //

Translation

“On the Ekādaśī day I shall remain without food and duly worship Janārdana; then, on the Dvādaśī day, in the company (and with the sanction) of Brahmins, I shall take my meal, O Lord.”

Word by Word

• ekādaśyām: on Ekādaśī (the eleventh lunar day)

• nirāhāraḥ: without food/fasting

• samabhyarcya: having duly worshipped

• janārdanam: Janārdana (Vishnu)

• dvādaśyām: on Dvādaśī (the twelfth lunar day)

• dvija-saṃyuktaḥ: accompanied by/associated with Brahmins (the twice-born)

• kariṣye: I shall do/I will undertake

• bhojanam: eating, taking food, meal

• vibho: O all-pervading Lord/O mighty one

Speaker

• A devotee/vrata-observer addressing Lord Vishnu (Janardana) within the Matsya Purana’s vrata instruction context

Entities Mentioned

• Janardana (Vishnu)

Tags

• Ekadashi
• Vrata
• Vaishnava Dharma
• Householder Duties
• Ritual Procedure

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it teaches vrata-dharma—fasting on Ekādaśī, worship of Vishnu, and the proper, disciplined breaking of the fast on Dvādaśī.

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

It models regulated self-control and piety: observing Ekādaśī with fasting and worship, then taking food on Dvādaśī in a socially and ritually proper way—“with Brahmins,” implying guidance, auspiciousness, and dharmic conduct expected of householders (and rulers as exemplars).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the Ekādaśī fast (nirāhāra) and Dvādaśī pāraṇa (breaking the fast) after worship of Janārdana, ideally in the presence/association of Brahmins—highlighting correct sequencing and ritual propriety rather than Vāstu or temple-measurement rules.