Shloka 65

Matsya Purana — Vrata-Ṣaṣṭhī: The Sixty Sacred Vows

Devanagari script

कार्त्तिक्यां च वृषोत्सर्गं कृत्वा नक्तं समाचरेत् शैवं पदमवाप्नोति वार्षव्रतमिदं स्मृतम् //

Transliteration

kārttikyāṃ ca vṛṣotsargaṃ kṛtvā naktaṃ samācaret śaivaṃ padamavāpnoti vārṣavratamidaṃ smṛtam //

Translation

Having performed the vṛṣotsarga rite (the ritual gift/release of a bull) in the month of Kārttika, one should observe the vow of eating only at night; by this, one attains the Śaiva state, the abode of Śiva. This is remembered as the vārṣa-vrata (“annual vow”).

Word by Word

• कार्त्तिक्यां (kārttikyāṃ): in (the month of) Kārttika

• च (ca): and

• वृषोत्सर्गं (vṛṣotsargaṃ): the releasing/gifting of a bull (bull-offering rite)

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having done

• नक्तं (naktaṃ): at night / night-meal

• समाचरेत् (samācaret): should duly practice/observe

• शैवं (śaivaṃ): pertaining to Śiva

• पदम् (padam): state/abode/goal

• अवाप्नोति (avāpnoti): attains

• वार्षव्रतम् (vārṣa-vratam): annual vow

• इदम् (idam): this

• स्मृतम् (smṛtam): is remembered/declared (in tradition).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Shiva
• Kartik(a) month
• Vrishotsarga

Tags

• Vrata
• Kartik Vrata
• Dana
• Shaiva Merit
• Ritual Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it focuses on vrata-dharma—ritual observance in Kārttika and its salvific fruit.

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

It presents a practical householder vow: perform vṛṣotsarga (a meritorious donation/rite involving a bull) and keep the nakta discipline (eating only at night), framing ethical giving and self-restraint as duties that lead to spiritual attainment.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is vṛṣotsarga in Kārttika combined with the nakta vow; the text states its fruit as reaching the Śaiva abode, marking it as an “annual vow” (vārṣa-vrata).