Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — Vrata-Ṣaṣṭhī: The Sixty Sacred Vows

Devanagari script

सारस्वतं पदं याति पुनरावृत्तिदुर्लभम् एतत्सारस्वतं नाम रूपविद्याप्रदायकम् //

Transliteration

sārasvataṃ padaṃ yāti punarāvṛttidurlabham etatsārasvataṃ nāma rūpavidyāpradāyakam //

Translation

He attains the Sārasvata state—the station of Sarasvatī—from which return is rare. This attainment is called “Sārasvata,” and it bestows knowledge of forms (rūpa-vidyā).

Word by Word

• सारस्वतम्: pertaining to Sarasvatī, Sarasvata

• पदम्: state/abode/station

• याति: attains/goes to

• पुनरावृत्ति-दुर्लभम्: where returning (to worldly rebirth) is difficult/rare

• एतत्: this

• सारस्वतम्: Sarasvata (attainment)

• नाम: by name/called

• रूप-विद्या: knowledge/science of forms and appearances (iconographic/formal knowledge)

• प्रदायकम्: bestowing/giving

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Sarasvati

Tags

• Iconography
• Rupavidya
• Sacred Knowledge
• Liberation
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it emphasizes a higher spiritual/intellectual attainment (“Sarasvata pada”) that is difficult to fall back from, implying stability beyond ordinary cycles of return.

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

It frames learning—especially disciplined sacred knowledge—as a royal/householder duty: cultivating Sarasvatī’s domain (wisdom, right learning) leads to elevated status and steadiness, supporting righteous governance and ordered living.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

By stating that “Sarasvata” bestows rūpa-vidyā, the verse points to the authoritative knowledge needed for correct forms—useful for pratima-lakṣaṇa (iconographic proportions) and, by extension, Puranic temple-image standards.