Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — The Rohiṇī–Candraśayana Vow

Devanagari script

शूद्रो ऽपि परया भक्त्या पाषण्डालापवर्जितः सोमाय वरदायाथ विष्णवे च नमो नमः //

Transliteration

śūdro 'pi parayā bhaktyā pāṣaṇḍālāpavarjitaḥ somāya varadāyātha viṣṇave ca namo namaḥ //

Translation

Even a Śūdra, if endowed with supreme devotion and free from the speech and ways of heretical sectarians, may offer repeated salutations—to Soma, to the boon-giving Lord, and to Viṣṇu.

Word by Word

• śūdraḥ api: even a Śūdra

• parayā bhaktyā: with highest devotion

• pāṣaṇḍa-ālāpa-varjitaḥ: avoiding the speech/association of pāṣaṇḍas (heretical/impious sectarians)

• somāya: to Soma

• varadāya: to the boon-giver

• atha: and then/also

• viṣṇave: to Viṣṇu

• ca: and

• namaḥ namaḥ: salutations again and again

Speaker

• Sūta (narratorial voice) conveying Matsya Purana’s dharma teaching in a devotional context

Entities Mentioned

• Soma
• Varada (the boon-giving Lord)
• Vishnu

Tags

• Bhakti
• Dharma
• Purity of worship
• Mantra/Namaskara
• Anti-pāṣaṇḍa

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on devotional eligibility and purity—teaching that sincere bhakti, free from impious influences, is spiritually effective regardless of social category.

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

It supports the dharmic duty of maintaining pure religious practice: householders (and kings as guardians of dharma) should encourage sincere devotion and discourage corrupting, irreverent, or disruptive sectarian conduct (pāṣaṇḍa-ālāpa).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes proper worship through repeated salutations (namo namaḥ) to revered deities; no specific Vāstu or temple-construction rule is stated in this verse.