Matsya Purana — Vrata-Ṣaṣṭhī: The Sixty Sacred Vows, Shloka 19

Devanagari script

लक्ष्मीमभ्यर्च्य पञ्चम्याम् उपवासी भवेन्नरः समान्ते हेमकमलं दद्याद्धेनुसमन्वितम् //

Transliteration

lakṣmīmabhyarcya pañcamyām upavāsī bhavennaraḥ samānte hemakamalaṃ dadyāddhenusamanvitam //

Translation

陰暦第五日（パンチャミー Pañcamī）にラクシュミーを礼拝し、男子は断食を行うべし。儀礼の終わりには、牛を添えて金の蓮華を布施として与えるべし。

Word by Word

• लक्ष्मीम् (lakṣmīm): Goddess Lakṣmī

• अभ्यर्च्य (abhyarcya): having worshipped/propitiated

• पञ्चम्याम् (pañcamyām): on the fifth lunar day (Pañcamī)

• उपवासी (upavāsī): one who fasts/observes a vow of fasting

• भवेत् (bhavet): should become/should be

• नरः (naraḥ): a man/householder

• समान्ते (samānte): at the end/conclusion (of the vow/observance)

• हेमकमलम् (hemakamalam): a golden lotus (lotus made of gold)

• दद्यात् (dadyāt): should give (as a donation)

• धेनुसमन्वितम् (dhenu-samanvitam): accompanied by a cow/along with a milch-cow.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (typical Matsya Purana dialogue frame for vrata/dharma material)

Entities Mentioned

• Lakshmi
• Panchami
• Hemakamala (golden lotus)
• Dhenu (cow)

Tags

• Vrata
• Dana
• Lakshmi
• Panchami
• Householder Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on vrata (fasting) and dāna (charitable gifting) connected to worship of Goddess Lakṣmī on Pañcamī.

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

It prescribes a householder-style dharmic observance: worship Lakṣmī, fast on Pañcamī, and complete the vow with a prescribed donation (golden lotus and a cow), reflecting the Matsya Purana’s emphasis on regulated charity and vow-completion.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual, not architectural: it outlines Lakṣmī worship on Pañcamī, fasting (upavāsa), and concluding dāna featuring symbolic offerings—a golden lotus (prosperity/purity) and a cow (highly meritorious gift in Purāṇic dana-śāstra).