Matsya Purana — Description of the Akṣaya Tṛtīyā Observance, Shloka 3

Devanagari script

सा तथा कृत्तिकोपेता विशेषेण सुपूजिता तत्र दत्तं हुतं जप्तं सर्वमक्षयमुच्यते //

Transliteration

sā tathā kṛttikopetā viśeṣeṇa supūjitā tatra dattaṃ hutaṃ japtaṃ sarvamakṣayamucyate //

Translation

ആ തൃതീയാ കൃത്തികാ നക്ഷത്രത്തോടുകൂടി പ്രത്യേകമായി പൂജിക്കപ്പെടുമ്പോൾ, അവിടെ ചെയ്യുന്ന ദാനം, ഹോമം, ജപം—എല്ലാം അക്ഷയമെന്ന് പ്രസിദ്ധമാണ്।

Word by Word

• sā: that (observance/time)

• tathā: likewise/so

• kṛttikā-upetā: accompanied by (the nakṣatra) Kṛttikā

• viśeṣeṇa: especially, in a distinguished manner

• su-pūjitā: well worshipped, duly honored

• tatra: there/at that time

• dattaṃ: given (as dāna)

• hutaṃ: offered into the fire (homa)

• japtaṃ: recited/repeated (japa)

• sarvam: all of it

• akṣayam: imperishable, inexhaustible

• ucyate: is said/declared.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching on nakṣatra-based ritual merit)

Entities Mentioned

• Kṛttikā (Nakṣatra)

Tags

• Nakshatra
• Krittika
• Dāna
• Homa
• Japa

FAQs

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

It does not discuss Pralaya; it teaches that acts like charity, homa, and japa performed under Kṛttikā Nakṣatra—when duly worshipped—produce akṣaya (inexhaustible) merit.

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

It supports the householder/kingly duty of performing dāna, maintaining sacrificial rites (homa), and practicing disciplined recitation (japa), emphasizing timing and proper worship to maximize dharmic results.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): Kṛttikā-associated worship makes dāna, homa, and japa ‘akṣaya,’ highlighting nakṣatra-based scheduling as a key rule in Puranic ritual practice.