Matsya Purana — Vrata-Ṣaṣṭhī: The Sixty Sacred Vows, Shloka 27

Devanagari script

नवम्यामेकभक्तं तु कृत्वा कन्याश्च शक्तितः भोजयित्वासनं दद्याद् धैमकञ्चुकवाससी //

Transliteration

navamyāmekabhaktaṃ tu kṛtvā kanyāśca śaktitaḥ bhojayitvāsanaṃ dadyād dhaimakañcukavāsasī //

Translation

നവമിയിൽ ഏകഭക്തം (ഒരിക്കൽ മാത്രം ഭക്ഷണം) ആചരിച്ച്, ശേഷിയനുസരിച്ച് കന്യകളെ ഭോജനിപ്പിച്ച്; തുടർന്ന് അവർക്കു ആസനവും സ്വർണ്ണകഞ്ചുകവും വസ്ത്രങ്ങളും ദാനം ചെയ്യണം.

Word by Word

• नवम्याम्: on the ninth (lunar day)

• एकभक्तम्: eating once (one-meal observance)

• तु: indeed

• कृत्वा: having done/observed

• कन्याः: maidens/young girls

• च: and

• शक्तितः: according to ability/means

• भोजयित्वा: having fed

• आसनम्: a seat (mat/stool/seat for sitting)

• दद्यात्: should give

• धैम-: golden (made of gold)

• कञ्चुक: bodice/corset-like upper garment

• वाससी: garments/clothes (pair of cloths)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Navami (tithi)
• Kanyas (maidens)
• Dana (ritual gifting)

Tags

• Vrata
• Dana
• Navami
• Householder Dharma
• Ritual

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on vrata-dharma—fasting, feeding, and charitable gifting prescribed for the ninth lunar day.

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

It teaches householders (and rulers as exemplars) to combine self-restraint (one-meal observance) with compassion and social duty—honoring and feeding kanyas and giving appropriate gifts according to one’s capacity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is dāna-vidhi: after feeding, one offers an āsana (seat) and clothing (including a golden bodice), reflecting formal completion of the observance through prescribed gifts.