Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — The Viśokā-Saptamī Vow

Devanagari script

अतैललवणं भुक्त्वा सप्तम्यां मौनसंयुतः ततः पुराणश्रवणं कर्तव्यं भूतिमिच्छता //

Transliteration

atailalavaṇaṃ bhuktvā saptamyāṃ maunasaṃyutaḥ tataḥ purāṇaśravaṇaṃ kartavyaṃ bhūtimicchatā //

Translation

On Saptamī, having eaten food prepared without oil and salt, and observing silence, one who desires prosperity should then undertake the listening of the Purāṇa.

Word by Word

• अतैललवणम् (ataila-lavaṇam): without oil and without salt

• भुक्त्वा (bhuktvā): having eaten

• सप्तम्याम् (saptamyām): on the Saptamī (seventh tithi)

• मौनसंयुतः (mauna-saṃyutaḥ): endowed with silence/observing silence

• ततः (tataḥ): thereafter

• पुराणश्रवणम् (purāṇa-śravaṇam): listening/recitation-hearing of the Purāṇa

• कर्तव्यम् (kartavyam): should be done/ought to be performed

• भूतिम् (bhūtim): prosperity, welfare, flourishing

• इच्छता (icchatā): by one who desires.

Speaker

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

Entities Mentioned

• Saptamī
• Purāṇa (Purāṇa-śravaṇa)
• Mauna (silence observance)

Tags

• Vrata
• Ritual Purity
• Purana Shravan
• Dharma
• Tithi Observance

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya directly; it teaches a dharmic observance—dietary restraint, silence, and Purāṇa-listening—as a means to attain bhūti (worldly welfare/prosperity).

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

It frames a practical dharma for disciplined living: a householder (and by extension a ruler) cultivates self-control through regulated food and speech, then supports and participates in Purāṇa-śravaṇa—public religious instruction that reinforces ethical governance and social order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the prescribed Saptamī discipline—salt-and-oil-free food (ataila-lavaṇa), mauna (silence), and Purāṇa-śravaṇa—indicating a structured preparatory regimen before sacred hearing/recitation.