Shloka 45

Matsya Purana — Vrata-Ṣaṣṭhī: The Sixty Sacred Vows

Devanagari script

वैशाखे पुष्पलवणं वर्जयित्वाथ गोप्रदः भूत्वा विष्णुपदे कल्पं स्थित्वा राजा भवेदिह एतत्कान्तिव्रतं नाम कान्तिकीर्तिफलप्रदम् //

Transliteration

vaiśākhe puṣpalavaṇaṃ varjayitvātha gopradaḥ bhūtvā viṣṇupade kalpaṃ sthitvā rājā bhavediha etatkāntivrataṃ nāma kāntikīrtiphalapradam //

Translation

In the month of Vaiśākha, having abstained from flowers and salt, and having become a giver of cows, one abides for a kalpa in Viṣṇu’s realm; and here (on earth) one becomes a king. This is called the Kānti-vrata, and it bestows the fruits of radiance and fame.

Word by Word

• वैशाखे (vaiśākhe): in Vaiśākha month

• पुष्पलवणम् (puṣpa-lavaṇam): flowers and salt

• वर्जयित्वा (varjayitvā): having avoided/abstained from

• अथ (atha): then

• गोप्रदः (go-pradaḥ): giver of cows

• भूत्वा (bhūtvā): having become

• विष्णुपदे (viṣṇu-pade): in Viṣṇu’s abode/realm

• कल्पम् (kalpam): for a kalpa (cosmic aeon)

• स्थित्वा (sthitvā): having dwelt/abided

• राजा (rājā): king

• भवेत् (bhavet): becomes

• इह (iha): here (in this world)

• एतत् (etat): this

• कान्तिव्रतम् (kānti-vratam): vow of radiance/beauty

• नाम (nāma): named/called

• कान्तिकीर्तिफलप्रदम् (kānti-kīrti-phala-pradam): bestowing the fruit of radiance and fame

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (likely context of vrata teachings)

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu

Tags

• Vrata
• Dharma
• Vaiśākha
• Dāna
• Phalaśruti

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a phalaśruti for a Vaiśākha vow (Kānti-vrata), describing merit leading to Viṣṇu’s realm and royal status.

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

It frames kingship as a fruit of dharma: self-restraint (dietary/ritual abstinence) and generosity (especially go-dāna) are presented as practices that elevate a householder and can yield sovereignty and lasting reputation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: it prescribes a Vaiśākha vrata involving abstention from flowers and salt and emphasizes cow-gifting as a key dāna supporting the vow’s promised results.