Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — The Viśokā-Saptamī Vow

Devanagari script

माघे कृष्णतिलैः स्नात्वा षष्ठ्यां वै शुक्लपक्षतः कृताहारः कृसरया दन्तधावनपूर्वकम् उपवासव्रतं कृत्वा ब्रह्मचारी भवेन्निशि //

Transliteration

māghe kṛṣṇatilaiḥ snātvā ṣaṣṭhyāṃ vai śuklapakṣataḥ kṛtāhāraḥ kṛsarayā dantadhāvanapūrvakam upavāsavrataṃ kṛtvā brahmacārī bhavenniśi //

Translation

In the month of Māgha, having bathed with water mixed with black sesame (kṛṣṇa-tila), on the sixth lunar day of the bright fortnight one should first cleanse the teeth and then eat only kṛsarā (a simple rice-and-pulse dish). Thereafter, having undertaken the vow of fasting (upavāsa-vrata), one should observe brahmacarya (celibate restraint) at night.

Word by Word

• māghe: in the month of Māgha

• kṛṣṇatilaiḥ: with black sesame (kṛṣṇa-tila), i.e., sesame-infused bathing

• snātvā: having bathed

• ṣaṣṭhyām: on the sixth lunar day (Ṣaṣṭhī)

• vai: indeed

• śuklapakṣataḥ: in the bright fortnight (waxing phase)

• kṛtāhāraḥ: having taken food / having eaten

• kṛsarayā: with kṛsarā (a simple cooked mixture of rice and pulses)

• dantadhāvanapūrvakam: preceded by cleaning the teeth

• upavāsavrataṃ: the vow of fasting

• kṛtvā: having performed/undertaken

• brahmacārī: one observing brahmacarya (celibate discipline)

• bhavet: should be

• niśi: at night.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a vrata-dharma discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Māgha
• Kṛṣṇa-tila
• Ṣaṣṭhī
• Śukla-pakṣa
• Kṛsarā
• Upavāsa
• Brahmacarya

Tags

• Vrata
• Upavasa
• Magha Snana
• Ritual Purification
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it prescribes a Māgha-month religious observance (bathing, regulated food, fasting, and night-time brahmacarya) as a means of purification and merit.

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

It frames dharma as disciplined self-restraint: even householders (and rulers) are encouraged to adopt periodic fasting, purity practices, and sexual restraint on vrata days to cultivate self-control and religious merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): Māgha snāna with black sesame, eating only kṛsarā after tooth-cleaning, undertaking upavāsa, and observing brahmacarya at night are given as the procedural steps of the vow.