Matsya Purana — Vrata-Ṣaṣṭhī: The Sixty Sacred Vows, Shloka 6

Devanagari script

आषाढादिचतुर्मासम् अभ्यङ्गं वर्जयेन्नरः भोजनोपस्करं दद्यात् स याति भवनं हरेः जने प्रीतिकरं नॄणां प्रीतिव्रतमिहोच्यते //

Transliteration

āṣāḍhādicaturmāsam abhyaṅgaṃ varjayennaraḥ bhojanopaskaraṃ dadyāt sa yāti bhavanaṃ hareḥ jane prītikaraṃ nṝṇāṃ prītivratamihocyate //

Translation

From the month of Āṣāḍha onward, during the sacred four-month season (Cāturmāsya), a man should refrain from oil-massage (abhyaṅga). He should donate utensils and provisions for food; by this he attains the abode of Hari (Viṣṇu). Since it brings delight among people, this vow is here called the Prīti-vrata, the vow of pleasing others.

Word by Word

• āṣāḍha-ādi-caturmāsam: the four months beginning with Āṣāḍha (Cāturmāsya)

• abhyaṅgam: oil-massage/anointing of the body

• varjayet: should avoid

• naraḥ: a man/person

• bhojana-upaskaram: food-implements, utensils and provisions for meals

• dadyāt: should give/donate

• saḥ: he

• yāti: goes/attains

• bhavanam: the abode/house

• hareḥ: of Hari (Viṣṇu)

• jane: among people/in society

• prīti-karam: that which produces pleasure/affection

• nṝṇām: of men/people

• prīti-vratam: the vow named Prīti-vrata

• iha: here (in this teaching)

• ucyate: is said/called.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within Matsya Purana’s dharma teachings)

Entities Mentioned

• Hari (Vishnu)

Tags

• Vrata
• Caturmasya
• Dana
• Householder Dharma
• Vishnu Bhakti

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on Cāturmāsya discipline and charity as a means to attain Hari’s abode.

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

It prescribes a householder-style seasonal restraint (avoiding abhyaṅga during Cāturmāsya) and emphasizes dāna—supporting society by gifting food provisions and utensils—framed as a meritorious vow.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is vrata-observance: Cāturmāsya restraint plus donation of bhojanopaskara (food-related implements), highlighting practical charity as an integral part of religious practice.