Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — The Sarasvata Vrata: Vow for Sweet Speech

Devanagari script

यो यद्भक्तः पुमान्कुर्याद् एतद्व्रतमनुत्तमम् तद्वासरादौ सम्पूज्य विप्रानेतान्समाचरेत् //

Transliteration

yo yadbhaktaḥ pumānkuryād etadvratamanuttamam tadvāsarādau sampūjya viprānetānsamācaret //

Translation

Whatever deity a man is devoted to, he should undertake this unsurpassed vow; and at the beginning of its appointed day, having duly worshipped these Brahmanas, he should carry out the observance accordingly.

Word by Word

• yo: whoever

• yad-bhaktaḥ: devoted to whichever (deity)

• pumān: a man/person

• kuryāt: should do/undertake

• etat: this

• vratam: vow/observance

• anuttamam: unsurpassed, excellent

• tat-vāsara-ādau: at the beginning of that day (appointed for the vow)

• sampūjya: having fully worshipped/honoured

• viprān: Brahmanas

• etān: these (present/aforementioned)

• samācaret: should properly perform/observe (the rite).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmanas (Vipras)
• Vrata (vow/observance)

Tags

• Dharma
• Vrata
• Ritual procedure
• Brahmana worship
• Bhakti

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on Dharma through vrata-observance, emphasizing correct initiation of the vow by honoring Brahmanas.

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

It frames a general duty for practitioners (including householders and rulers): perform vows aligned with one’s devotion, and begin them with respectful worship and gifting/honoring of Brahmanas—an ethical norm in Purāṇic Dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): a vrata should commence on its designated day with proper pūjā/honoring of Brahmanas, establishing purity, legitimacy, and auspiciousness for the observance.