Shloka 53

Matsya Purana — Vrata-Ṣaṣṭhī: The Sixty Sacred Vows

Devanagari script

माघे मासे ऽथवा चैत्रे गुडधेनुप्रदो भवेत् गुडव्रतस्तृतीयायां गौरीलोके महीयते महाव्रतमिदं नाम परमानन्दकारकम् //

Transliteration

māghe māse 'thavā caitre guḍadhenuprado bhavet guḍavratastṛtīyāyāṃ gaurīloke mahīyate mahāvratamidaṃ nāma paramānandakārakam //

Translation

In the month of Māgha—or else in Caitra—one should make the gift of a “jaggery-cow” (guḍa-dhenu). Observing the Guḍa-vrata on the third lunar day (tṛtīyā), one is honored in Gaurī’s world. This vow is called the Mahā-vrata, and it bestows supreme bliss.

Word by Word

• māghe māse: in the month of Māgha

• athavā: or else

• caitre: in (the month of) Caitra

• guḍa-dhenu-pradaḥ: giver of the jaggery-cow donation

• bhavet: should become/should be

• guḍa-vrataḥ: observer of the jaggery vow

• tṛtīyāyām: on the third (lunar day)

• gaurī-loke: in the world/realm of Gaurī (Pārvatī)

• mahīyate: is honored/glorified

• mahā-vratam: great vow

• idaṃ nāma: by this name/this is called

• parama-ānanda-kārakam: producing supreme bliss

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (likely frame of discourse in this section)

Entities Mentioned

• Gauri (Parvati)

Tags

• Vrata
• Dana
• Tithi
• Gauri
• Puranic Ritual

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse focuses on vrata (vow) and dāna (charitable gifting) rather than cosmology or pralaya narratives.

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

It prescribes a concrete dharmic practice—performing a timed vow (on tṛtīyā) and giving a specific ritual donation (guḍa-dhenu)—reflecting the householder/kingly duty to uphold dharma through regulated charity and observances.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: the Guḍa-vrata performed in Māgha or Caitra, especially on tṛtīyā, along with the guḍa-dhenu donation, is declared a “Mahā-vrata” leading to honor in Gaurī’s realm and supreme bliss.