Shloka 52

Matsya Purana — Vrata-Ṣaṣṭhī: The Sixty Sacred Vows

Devanagari script

दद्याद् विंशत्पलादूर्ध्वं महीं कृत्वा तु काञ्चनीम् दिनं पयोव्रतस्तिष्ठेद् रुद्रलोके महीयते धराव्रतमिदं प्रोक्तं सप्तकल्पशतानुगम् //

Transliteration

dadyād viṃśatpalādūrdhvaṃ mahīṃ kṛtvā tu kāñcanīm dinaṃ payovratastiṣṭhed rudraloke mahīyate dharāvratamidaṃ proktaṃ saptakalpaśatānugam //

Translation

Having fashioned a golden representation of the Earth weighing more than twenty palas, one should donate it; then, observing a milk-only vow for a day, one is honored in Rudra’s world. This observance is declared to be the Dharā-vrata, whose merit endures for seven hundred kalpas.

Word by Word

• dadyāt: one should give/donate

• viṃśat-palāt ūrdhvam: more than twenty palas (in weight)

• mahīm: the Earth (as a symbol/effigy)

• kṛtvā: having made

• tu: indeed

• kāñcanīm: made of gold

• dinam: for a day

• payo-vrataḥ: observing a milk-vow (subsisting on milk)

• tiṣṭhet: should remain/observe

• rudra-loke: in Rudra’s world (Rudraloka)

• mahīyate: is honored/glorified

• dharā-vratam: the vow relating to Earth (Dharā-vrata)

• idam: this

• proktam: is declared/taught

• sapta-kalpa-śata-anugam: lasting through seven hundred kalpas (enduring merit).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Rudra
• Rudraloka
• Dharā-vrata

Tags

• Vrata
• Dana
• Ritual gift
• Dharma
• Merit (Punya)

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; instead, it emphasizes dharmic ritual merit—symbolically honoring the Earth through a golden offering and austerity, yielding long-lasting spiritual reward.

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

It presents a practical dharma act: charitable giving (dāna) combined with a brief austerity (one-day payo-vrata). Such rites are especially suited to householders and rulers who can sponsor gifts and uphold religious observances for societal and personal merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes making a gold ‘Earth’ (mahī) of specified minimum weight (over twenty palas) as a formal donation, followed by a milk-only fast—an example of precise vrata-vidhi typical of the Matsya Purana’s ritual manuals.