Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — The Sun-Vow

Devanagari script

तदाराध्य पुमान्विप्र प्राप्नोति कुशलं सदा तस्मादादित्यवारेण सदा नक्ताशनो भवेत् //

Transliteration

tadārādhya pumānvipra prāpnoti kuśalaṃ sadā tasmādādityavāreṇa sadā naktāśano bhavet //

Translation

O brāhmaṇa, by worshipping Him (Āditya, the Sun) a man always attains well-being and prosperity; therefore, on Sundays one should regularly observe the discipline of naktāśana, eating only at night.

Word by Word

• tad-ārādhya: by worshipping Him (that deity, i.e., Āditya)

• pumān: a man

• vipra: O brāhmaṇa

• prāpnoti: attains

• kuśalam: welfare, auspicious well-being, prosperity

• sadā: always

• tasmāt: therefore

• āditya-vāreṇa: on Sunday (the day of Āditya)

• sadā: regularly/always

• nakta-āśanaḥ: one who eats at night only

• bhavet: should be/should become

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu, with 'vipra' as a respectful vocative within the discourse style

Entities Mentioned

• Aditya (Surya)
• Sunday (Adityavara)
• Vrata (fasting observance)

Tags

• Vrata
• Surya-upasana
• Fasting
• Dharma
• Auspiciousness

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it teaches Vrata-dharma—Sun-worship (Āditya) and a Sunday discipline of naktāśana to gain continual well-being.

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

It recommends a practical ethical-ritual discipline: regular Sun-worship and restrained eating on Sundays, a householder-friendly vow believed to support health, auspiciousness, and steady prosperity—qualities valued for both rulers and householders.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes an Āditya-related vrata: worship of the Sun and naktāśana (eating only at night) on Sundays; it does not specify Vāstu or temple-construction rules in this line.