Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — The Sarasvata Vrata: Vow for Sweet Speech

Devanagari script

*मत्स्य उवाच सम्यक्पृष्टं त्वया राजञ् छृणु सारस्वतं व्रतम् यस्य संकीर्तनादेव तुष्यतीह सरस्वती //

Transliteration

*matsya uvāca samyakpṛṣṭaṃ tvayā rājañ chṛṇu sārasvataṃ vratam yasya saṃkīrtanādeva tuṣyatīha sarasvatī //

Translation

Matsya said: “O King, you have asked rightly. Hear the Sārasvata vrata (the sacred observance dedicated to Sarasvatī); by the very devout recitation and proclamation of it, Sarasvatī is pleased here, in this world.”

Word by Word

• मत्स्य उवाच: Matsya said

• सम्यक्: rightly, properly

• पृष्टम्: asked, inquired

• त्वया: by you

• राजञ्: O King

• छृणु: listen

• सारस्वतम्: pertaining to Sarasvatī

• व्रतम्: vow, sacred observance

• यस्य: of which

• संकीर्तनात्: from recitation/praise, devotional proclamation

• एव: indeed, even

• तुष्यति: becomes pleased

• इह: here (in this world), in this context

• सरस्वती: Goddess Sarasvatī

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Matsya-avatāra of Viṣṇu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Sarasvatī

Tags

• Vrata
• Sarasvati
• Ritual
• Dharma
• Recitation

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it introduces a ritual vow (Sārasvata-vrata) and states that Sarasvatī is pleased by its recitation and praise.

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

Addressed to a king, it frames dharma as attentive listening and adopting prescribed vratas; it implies that rulers and householders may cultivate learning, speech, and merit through disciplined observances dedicated to Sarasvatī.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: the verse highlights saṃkīrtana (devout recitation/praise) as an efficacious component of the Sārasvata-vrata.