Shloka 63

Matsya Purana — Vrata-Ṣaṣṭhī: The Sixty Sacred Vows

Devanagari script

यश्चोपवासी सप्तम्यां समान्ते हैमपङ्कजम् गाश्च वै शक्तितो दद्याद् धेमान्नघटसंयुताः एतत् सौरव्रतं नाम सूर्यलोकफलप्रदम् //

Transliteration

yaścopavāsī saptamyāṃ samānte haimapaṅkajam gāśca vai śaktito dadyād dhemānnaghaṭasaṃyutāḥ etat sauravrataṃ nāma sūryalokaphalapradam //

Translation

Whoever fasts on the seventh lunar day and, at the conclusion of the observance, offers a golden lotus and also, according to one’s capacity, donates cows together with pots filled with food—this is called the Sauravrata, and it bestows the fruit of attaining the world of the Sun (Sūryaloka).

Word by Word

• yaḥ: whoever

• ca: and

• upavāsī: one who fasts/observes a fast

• saptamyām: on the seventh (tithi)

• samānte: at the end/conclusion

• haima-paṅkajam: a golden lotus

• gāḥ: cows

• ca: and

• vai: indeed

• śaktitaḥ: according to (one’s) ability

• dadyāt: should give/donate

• dhema-anna-ghaṭa-saṃyutāḥ: accompanied by pots (ghaṭa) of food (anna) and gold (dhema) / pots of food with golden (gift) accompaniment

• etat: this

• saura-vratam: vow/observance for the Sun

• nāma: called

• sūrya-loka-phala-pradam: bestowing the fruit of Sūryaloka.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Surya
• Sauravrata
• Saptami
• Gau (cows)
• Haimapankaja (golden lotus)
• Suryaloka

Tags

• Vrata
• Surya-upasana
• Dana
• Upavasa
• Phala-shruti

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it teaches a ritual vow (Sauravrata) focused on fasting, charitable gifts, and the merit-fruit of reaching Sūryaloka.

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

It frames dharma as disciplined observance (upavāsa) and socially sustaining generosity (dāna of cows and food), duties especially emphasized for householders and rulers who can support others according to capacity (śaktitaḥ).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: Saptamī fasting, concluding offerings of a golden lotus, and prescribed donations (cows and food-filled pots) define the Sauravrata’s procedure and its stated result (Sūryaloka).