Matsya Purana — Vrata-Ṣaṣṭhī: The Sixty Sacred Vows, Shloka 3

Devanagari script

शिवरूपस्ततो ऽस्माभिः शिवलोके स मोदते एतद्देवव्रतं नाम महापातकनाशनम् //

Transliteration

śivarūpastato 'smābhiḥ śivaloke sa modate etaddevavrataṃ nāma mahāpātakanāśanam //

Translation

其后，由此行持而得具湿婆之相，便在湿婆世界中欢喜安住。此名“天神誓戒（Devavrata）”，能灭除乃至最重之罪。

Word by Word

• śivarūpaḥ: having Śiva’s form

• tataḥ: thereafter/then

• asmābhiḥ: by us/according to our teaching

• śivaloke: in Śiva’s world (Śivaloka)

• saḥ: he

• modate: rejoices/delights

• etat: this

• devavrataṃ: Devavrata (a sacred vow/observance)

• nāma: by name/called

• mahāpātaka-nāśanam: destroyer of great sins (major transgressions).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (likely narrative frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Śiva
• Śivaloka
• Devavrata
• Mahāpātaka

Tags

• Vrata
• Atonement
• Śiva
• Dharma
• Purāṇic ritual

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on the fruit (phala) of a vow—attaining Śivaloka and the destruction of great sins.

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

It frames vrata as a dharmic discipline and a form of atonement (prayāścitta): a king or householder who has incurred grave faults is taught a sanctioned observance that purifies and restores religious merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is the Devavrata itself: it is presented as a powerful observance whose stated result is purification from mahāpātakas and the attainment of Śiva’s realm; no Vāstu or temple-building rule is mentioned in this specific verse.