Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — The Viśokā-Saptamī Vow

Devanagari script

ततः प्रभात उत्थाय कृतस्नानजपः शुचिः कृत्वा तु काञ्चनं पद्मम् अर्कायेति च पूजयेत् करवीरेण रक्तेन रक्तवस्त्रयुगेन च //

Transliteration

tataḥ prabhāta utthāya kṛtasnānajapaḥ śuciḥ kṛtvā tu kāñcanaṃ padmam arkāyeti ca pūjayet karavīreṇa raktena raktavastrayugena ca //

Translation

Then, rising at dawn—having bathed, completed japa, and become purified—one should prepare a golden lotus and worship (the deity) with the invocation “for Arka,” offering red karavīra (oleander) flowers and a pair of red garments.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• prabhāte: at dawn

• utthāya: having risen

• kṛta-snānajapaḥ: one who has performed bathing and japa

• śuciḥ: pure/clean

• kृत्वा: having made/prepared

• kāñcanam: golden

• padmam: lotus

• arkāya iti: with the formula ‘for Arka’/‘unto Arka’

• ca: and

• pūjayet: should worship

• karavīreṇa: with oleander (karavīra) flowers

• raktena: red

• raktavastra-yugena: with a pair/set of red garments

• ca: and.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Arka (Sun/Surya)

Tags

• Puja
• Surya
• Mantra
• Upasana
• Ritual Procedure

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it prescribes a daily dawn ritual emphasizing purity (snāna, japa) and specific offerings for worship of Arka (the Sun).

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

It presents a standard of disciplined daily conduct—rising at dawn, bathing, performing japa, and then worship—aligning with the householder/kingly duty to maintain personal purity and uphold dharma through regular devatā-upāsanā.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies precise upacāras (golden lotus, red oleander, red garments) and the ‘arkāya’ invocation, reflecting the Matsya Purana’s concern for correct materials, color-symbolism, and mantra in worship.