The Telling of the Matsya Festival

Verse 1 (skanda.2.147.1)

।। श्रीभगवानुवाच ।। ।। ततः प्रभाते द्वादश्यां कार्यो मत्स्योत्सवो बुधैः ।। मार्गशीर्षे शुक्लपक्षे यथाविध्युपचारतः

śrībhagavānuvāca tataḥ prabhāte dvādaśyāṁ kāryo matsyotsavo budhaiḥ mārgaśīrṣe śuklapakṣe yathāvidhyupacārataḥ

The Blessed Lord said: Then, at dawn on Dvadashi, the wise should perform the Matsya-utsava (fish festival), in the bright fortnight of Margashirsha, according to due ritual observance.

Verse 2 (skanda.2.147.2)

अथ मार्गशिरे मासे दशम्यां नियतात्मवान् ।। कृत्वा देवार्चनं धीमानग्निकार्यं यथाविधि

atha mārgaśire māse daśamyāṁ niyatātmavān kṛtvā devārcanaṁ dhīmānagnikāryaṁ yathāvidhi

Then, on the Dashami of the month of Margashirsha, the self-controlled, wise one, having performed worship of the gods and the fire-rite according to rule—

Verse 3 (skanda.2.147.3)

शुचिवासाः प्रसन्नात्मा हव्यमन्नं सुसंस्कृतम् ।। पक्त्वा पंचपदे गत्वा पुनः शौचं तु पादयोः

śucivāsāḥ prasannātmā havyamannaṁ susaṁskṛtam paktvā paṁcapade gatvā punaḥ śaucaṁ tu pādayoḥ

—clad in clean garments, of pure mind, having cooked well-prepared havya-food, walking a few steps away and cleansing his feet again—

Verse 4 (skanda.2.147.4)

कृत्वाऽष्टांगुलमानं तु क्षीरवृक्षे समुद्भवम् ।। भक्षयेद्दंतकाष्ठं तु ततश्चाचम्य यत्नतः

kṛtvā'ṣṭāṁgulamānaṁ tu kṣīravṛkṣe samudbhavam bhakṣayeddaṁtakāṣṭhaṁ tu tataścācamya yatnataḥ

—having taken a tooth-stick eight fingers in length, from a milk-tree, he should chew it, then sip water carefully.

Verse 5 (skanda.2.147.5)

दृष्ट्वाऽऽकाशानि सर्वाणि ध्यात्वा वै मां गदाधरम् ।। शंखचक्रगदापाणिकिरीटं पीतवाससम्

dṛṣṭvā''kāśāni sarvāṇi dhyātvā vai māṁ gadādharam śaṁkhacakragadāpāṇikirīṭaṁ pītavāsasam

Having looked at all quarters of the sky, and meditated on me, Gadadhara, holding conch, discus and mace in hand, crowned and clad in yellow—

Verse 6 (skanda.2.147.6)

प्रसन्नवदनांऽभोजं सर्वलक्षणलक्षितम् ।। ध्यात्वा पुनर्जलं हस्ते गृहीत्वा भानुमध्यगम्

prasannavadanāṁ'bhojaṁ sarvalakṣaṇalakṣitam dhyātvā punarjalaṁ haste gṛhītvā bhānumadhyagam

—with a joyful lotus-face, marked with every auspicious sign — having thus meditated, taking water again in hand, facing the rising sun—

Verse 7 (skanda.2.147.7)

ध्यात्वाऽर्घ्यं दापयेत्तत्र करतोयेन मानवः ।। एवमुच्चारयेद्वाचं तस्मिन्काले चतुर्मुख

dhyātvā'rghyaṁ dāpayettatra karatoyena mānavaḥ evamuccārayedvācaṁ tasminkāle caturmukha

—having meditated, the man should there offer arghya with water from his hand. At that time, O four-faced one, he should utter these words:

Verse 8 (skanda.2.147.8)

एकादश्यां निराहारः स्थित्वाऽहनि परे ह्यहम् ।। भोक्ष्यामि पुंडरीकाक्ष शरणं मे भवाऽच्युत

ekādaśyāṁ nirāhāraḥ sthitvā'hani pare hyaham bhokṣyāmi puṁḍarīkākṣa śaraṇaṁ me bhavā'cyuta

'Having remained without food on Ekadashi, on the next day I shall eat, O lotus-eyed one; be my refuge, O Achyuta.'

Verse 9 (skanda.2.147.9)

एवमुक्त्वा ततो रात्रौ मम मूर्तेश्च सन्निधौ ।। जपेन्नारायणायेति स्वयं तत्र विधानतः

evamuktvā tato rātrau mama mūrteśca sannidhau japennārāyaṇāyeti svayaṁ tatra vidhānataḥ

Having said this, then at night, in the presence of my image, he should himself recite 'Narayanaya' according to rule.

Verse 10 (skanda.2.147.10)

ततः प्रभाते विमलां नदीं गत्वा समुद्रगाम् ।। इतरां वा तडागं वा गृहे वा नियतात्मवान्

tataḥ prabhāte vimalāṁ nadīṁ gatvā samudragām itarāṁ vā taḍāgaṁ vā gṛhe vā niyatātmavān

Then at dawn, the self-controlled one should go to a clear river flowing to the sea, or to another river, or to a tank, or else remain at home—

Verse 11 (skanda.2.147.11)

आनीय मृत्तिकां शुद्धां मंत्रेणाऽनेन मानवः।। वंदयेद्देवदेवेशं तदा शुद्धो भवेन्नरः

ānīya mṛttikāṁ śuddhāṁ maṁtreṇā'nena mānavaḥ vaṁdayeddevadeveśaṁ tadā śuddho bhavennaraḥ

—and, having brought pure clay, the man should honor the Lord of gods with this mantra; then the man becomes pure.

Verse 12 (skanda.2.147.12)

धारणं पोषणं त्वत्तो भूतानां देवि सर्वदा ।। तेन सत्येन मे पापं यावन्मोचय सुव्रते

dhāraṇaṁ poṣaṇaṁ tvatto bhūtānāṁ devi sarvadā tena satyena me pāpaṁ yāvanmocaya suvrate

'The sustenance and nourishment of all beings comes from you, O goddess, ever; by that truth, free me from sin, O well-vowed one.'

Verse 13 (skanda.2.147.13)

ब्रह्मांडोदरतीर्थानि करैः स्पृष्टानि दैवतैः ।। तेनेमां मृत्तिकां स्पृष्टा माऽऽलभामि त्वयोद्धृताम्

brahmāṁḍodaratīrthāni karaiḥ spṛṣṭāni daivataiḥ tenemāṁ mṛttikāṁ spṛṣṭā mā''labhāmi tvayoddhṛtām

'The tirthas within the belly of the cosmic egg have been touched by the hands of the gods; by that, having touched this clay, I take up what you have lifted.'

Verse 14 (skanda.2.147.14)

त्वयि नित्यं रसाः सर्वे स्थिता वरुण सर्वदा ।। तेनेमां मृत्तिकां प्लाव्य पूतां कुरुष्व माचिरम्

tvayi nityaṁ rasāḥ sarve sthitā varuṇa sarvadā tenemāṁ mṛttikāṁ plāvya pūtāṁ kuruṣva māciram

'In you dwell all the essences forever, O Varuna; therefore, having washed this clay, purify it without delay.'

Verse 15 (skanda.2.147.15)

एवं मृदं तथा तोयं प्रसाद्याऽऽत्मानमालभेत् ।। त्रिःकृत्वाऽशेषमृदया पिंडमालिप्य वै जले

evaṁ mṛdaṁ tathā toyaṁ prasādyā''tmānamālabhet triḥkṛtvā'śeṣamṛdayā piṁḍamālipya vai jale

Having thus propitiated the clay and the water, one should apply them to oneself; having smeared the whole body with the clay three times, and formed a ball of it in the water—

Verse 16 (skanda.2.147.16)

तस्मिन्नरः सदा सम्यङ्नक्रकच्छपदूरतः ।। स्नात्वा चावश्यकं कृत्वा पुनर्मम गृहं व्रजेत्

tasminnaraḥ sadā samyaṅnakrakacchapadūrataḥ snātvā cāvaśyakaṁ kṛtvā punarmama gṛhaṁ vrajet

—there, ever properly, keeping away from crocodiles and turtles, the man should bathe, and, having performed his necessary rites, return again to my house.

Verse 17 (skanda.2.147.17)

तत्राऽऽराध्य महायोगिन्देवं नारायणं हरिम् ।। केशवाय नमः पादौ कटिं दामोदराय च

tatrā''rādhya mahāyogindevaṁ nārāyaṇaṁ harim keśavāya namaḥ pādau kaṭiṁ dāmodarāya ca

There, having worshipped the great yogi, the Lord Narayana Hari, he should say 'Salutation to Keshava' touching the feet, and 'to Damodara' touching the waist—

Verse 18 (skanda.2.147.18)

जानुयुग्मं नृसिंहाय उरः श्रीवत्सधारिणे ।। कंठे कौस्तुभनाभाय वक्षः श्रीपतये तथा

jānuyugmaṁ nṛsiṁhāya uraḥ śrīvatsadhāriṇe kaṁṭhe kaustubhanābhāya vakṣaḥ śrīpataye tathā

—'to Nrisimha' touching both knees, 'to the bearer of the Shrivatsa' touching the chest, 'to Kaustubhanabha' touching the throat, and likewise 'to Shripati' touching the chest—

Verse 19 (skanda.2.147.19)

त्रैलोक्यविजयायेति बाहुं सर्वात्मने शिरः ।। रथांगधारिणे वक्त्रं श्रीकरायेति वारिजम्

trailokyavijayāyeti bāhuṁ sarvātmane śiraḥ rathāṁgadhāriṇe vaktraṁ śrīkarāyeti vārijam

—'to the conqueror of the three worlds' touching the arm, 'to the Self of all' touching the head, 'to the wielder of the discus' touching the face, 'to Shrikara' touching the lotus-hand—

Verse 20 (skanda.2.147.20)

गंभीरायेति च गदामंभोजं शांतमूर्तये ।। एवमभ्यर्च्य देवेशं देवं नारायणं प्रभुम्

gaṁbhīrāyeti ca gadāmaṁbhojaṁ śāṁtamūrtaye evamabhyarcya deveśaṁ devaṁ nārāyaṇaṁ prabhum

—'to the profound one' touching the mace-hand, 'to the peaceful form' touching the lotus. Having thus worshipped the Lord of gods, the Lord Narayana—

Verse 21 (skanda.2.147.21)

पुनस्तस्याऽग्रतः कुंभांश्चतुरः स्थापयेद्बुधः ।। जलपूर्णान्समाल्यांश्च सितचंदनलेपितान्

punastasyā'grataḥ kuṁbhāṁścaturaḥ sthāpayedbudhaḥ jalapūrṇānsamālyāṁśca sitacaṁdanalepitān

—the wise one should then place before him four pots, filled with water, garlanded, and anointed with white sandal—

Verse 22 (skanda.2.147.22)

चूतपल्लवसंयुक्तान्सितवस्त्रावगुंठितान् ।। छादितांस्ताम्रपात्रैश्च तिलपूर्णैः सकांचनैः

cūtapallavasaṁyuktānsitavastrāvaguṁṭhitān chāditāṁstāmrapātraiśca tilapūrṇaiḥ sakāṁcanaiḥ

—joined with mango sprigs, covered with white cloth, and shielded with copper vessels filled with sesame, together with gold pieces.

Verse 23 (skanda.2.147.23)

चत्वारस्तु समुद्राश्च कलशाः संप्रकीर्तिताः ।। तेषां मध्ये शुभं पीठं स्थापयेद्वस्त्रगर्भितम्

catvārastu samudrāśca kalaśāḥ saṁprakīrtitāḥ teṣāṁ madhye śubhaṁ pīṭhaṁ sthāpayedvastragarbhitam

These four pots are declared to represent the four oceans; among them one should set up an auspicious pedestal wrapped in cloth.

Verse 24 (skanda.2.147.24)

तस्मिन्सुवर्णं रौप्यं वा ताम्रं वा दारवं तथा ।। अलाभे सर्वपात्राणां पालाशं पात्रमिष्यते

tasminsuvarṇaṁ raupyaṁ vā tāmraṁ vā dāravaṁ tathā alābhe sarvapātrāṇāṁ pālāśaṁ pātramiṣyate

Upon it, a vessel of gold, silver, copper, or wood; and in the absence of all these vessels, a vessel of palasha leaves is prescribed.

Verse 25 (skanda.2.147.25)

तोयपूर्णं च तत्कृत्वा तस्मिन्पात्रे ततो न्यसेत् ।। सौवर्णं मत्स्यरूपं च कृत्वा देवं जनार्दनम्

toyapūrṇaṁ ca tatkṛtvā tasminpātre tato nyaset sauvarṇaṁ matsyarūpaṁ ca kṛtvā devaṁ janārdanam

Having filled it with water, one should then place in that vessel a golden image in the form of a fish, representing the Lord Janardana—

Verse 26 (skanda.2.147.26)

देवदेवांगसंयुक्तं श्रुतिस्मृतिविभूषितम् ।। तत्राऽनेकविधैर्भक्ष्यैः फलैः पुष्पैश्च शोभितम्

devadevāṁgasaṁyuktaṁ śrutismṛtivibhūṣitam tatrā'nekavidhairbhakṣyaiḥ phalaiḥ puṣpaiśca śobhitam

—joined with the limbs of the God of gods, adorned with the symbols of Shruti and Smriti; there, adorned with various foods, fruits, and flowers—

Verse 27 (skanda.2.147.27)

गन्धैर्धूपैश्च वस्त्रैश्च अर्चयित्वा यथाविधि ।। रसातलगता वेदा यथादेव त्वयोद्धृताः

gandhairdhūpaiśca vastraiśca arcayitvā yathāvidhi rasātalagatā vedā yathādeva tvayoddhṛtāḥ

—having worshipped it duly with scents, incense, and garments, one should say: 'O God, just as the Vedas, sunk into the netherworld, were lifted up by you—'

Verse 28 (skanda.2.147.28)

मत्स्यरूपेण तद्वन्मां भवादुद्धर केशव ।। एवमुच्चार्य तस्याग्रे जागरं तत्र कारयेत् ।।

matsyarūpeṇa tadvanmāṁ bhavāduddhara keśava evamuccārya tasyāgre jāgaraṁ tatra kārayet

'—so too, in the form of the fish, O Keshava, lift me too from this worldly existence.' Having uttered this before it, one should then perform the night-vigil there.

Verse 29 (skanda.2.147.29)

यथाविभवसारेण प्रभाते विमले तथा ।। चतुर्णां ब्राह्मणानां च चतुरो दापयेद्घटान्

yathāvibhavasāreṇa prabhāte vimale tathā caturṇāṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ ca caturo dāpayedghaṭān

According to one's means and resources, at clear dawn, one should give four pots to four brahmins.

Verse 30 (skanda.2.147.30)

पूर्वं च बह्वृचे दद्याच्छांदोग्ये दक्षिणं तथा ।। यजुःशाखान्विते दद्यात्पश्चिमं घटमुत्तमम्

pūrvaṁ ca bahvṛce dadyācchāṁdogye dakṣiṇaṁ tathā yajuḥśākhānvite dadyātpaścimaṁ ghaṭamuttamam

To the one versed in the Rigveda one should give the eastern pot; to the one versed in the Samaveda, the southern; to the one versed in the Yajurveda branch, the excellent western pot—

Verse 31 (skanda.2.147.31)

उत्तरं कामतो दद्यादेष एव विधिः स्मृतः ।। ऋग्वेदः प्रीयतां पूर्वं सामवेदस्तुदक्षिणे

uttaraṁ kāmato dadyādeṣa eva vidhiḥ smṛtaḥ ṛgvedaḥ prīyatāṁ pūrvaṁ sāmavedastudakṣiṇe

—and the northern pot should be given at will; this same rule is remembered — 'may the Rigveda be pleased' in the east, 'may the Samaveda be pleased' in the south—

Verse 32 (skanda.2.147.32)

यजुर्वेदः पश्चिमतो ह्यथर्वश्चोत्तरेण तु ।। अनेन क्रमयोगेन प्रीयतामिति वाचयेत्

yajurvedaḥ paścimato hyatharvaścottareṇa tu anena kramayogena prīyatāmiti vācayet

—'may the Yajurveda be pleased' in the west, and 'may the Atharva be pleased' in the north; in this same sequence one should recite these words of propitiation.

Verse 33 (skanda.2.147.33)

मत्स्यरूपं तु सौवर्णमाचार्याय निवेदयेत् ।। गन्धधूपादि वस्त्रैस्तु संपूज्य विधिवत्क्रमात्

matsyarūpaṁ tu sauvarṇamācāryāya nivedayet gandhadhūpādi vastraistu saṁpūjya vidhivatkramāt

The golden fish-image should then be given to the officiating teacher; having worshipped it duly, in order, with scent, incense and garments—

Verse 34 (skanda.2.147.34)

यस्त्विमं सरहस्यं च मन्त्रेणैवोपपादयेत् ।। विधानं विधिवद्दत्त्वा दाता कोटिगुणोत्तरम्

yastvimaṁ sarahasyaṁ ca mantreṇaivopapādayet vidhānaṁ vidhivaddattvā dātā koṭiguṇottaram

—whoever imparts this rite together with its secret meaning, through the mantra, having given the prescribed rite duly, becomes a giver whose merit is multiplied a crore-fold.

Verse 35 (skanda.2.147.35)

प्रतिपद्य गुरुं यस्तु मोहाद्विप्रतिपद्यते ।। स जन्मकोटिं नरके पच्यते पुरुषाधमः

pratipadya guruṁ yastu mohādvipratipadyate sa janmakoṭiṁ narake pacyate puruṣādhamaḥ

Whoever, having approached a guru, out of delusion opposes him, that basest of men is cooked in hell for a crore births.

Verse 36 (skanda.2.147.36)

विधानस्य प्रदाता यो गुरुरित्युच्यते बुधैः ।। एवं दत्वा विधानेन द्वादश्यां मां समर्चयेत्

vidhānasya pradātā yo gururityucyate budhaiḥ evaṁ datvā vidhānena dvādaśyāṁ māṁ samarcayet

He who gives this prescribed rite is called 'guru' by the wise; having thus given it according to the prescribed rite, one should worship me on the Dvadashi.

Verse 37 (skanda.2.147.37)

विप्राणां भोजनं दद्याद्यथाशक्त्या च दक्षिणाम् ।। भूरिणा परमान्नेन ततः पश्चात्स्वयं नरः

viprāṇāṁ bhojanaṁ dadyādyathāśaktyā ca dakṣiṇām bhūriṇā paramānnena tataḥ paścātsvayaṁ naraḥ

One should give a meal to brahmins, and a fee according to one's means; with abundant, excellent food, and thereafter the man himself—

Verse 38 (skanda.2.147.38)

भुञ्जीत सहितो विप्रैर्वाग्यतः संयतेन्द्रियः ।। अनेन विधिना यस्तु कुर्यान्मत्स्योत्सवं नरः

bhuñjīta sahito viprairvāgyataḥ saṁyatendriyaḥ anena vidhinā yastu kuryānmatsyotsavaṁ naraḥ

—should eat together with the brahmins, restrained in speech, with senses controlled. Whoever performs the Matsya-utsava by this rule—

Verse 39 (skanda.2.147.39)

तस्य पुण्यफलं चाग्रे शृणु सत्यवतां वर ।। यदि वक्त्र सहस्राणां सहस्राणि भवंति हि

tasya puṇyaphalaṁ cāgre śṛṇu satyavatāṁ vara yadi vaktra sahasrāṇāṁ sahasrāṇi bhavaṁti hi

—hear now, O best of the truthful, the fruit of his merit. Even if there were thousands upon thousands of mouths—

Verse 40 (skanda.2.147.40)

आयुश्च ब्रह्मणा तुल्यं लभेद्यदि महाव्रत ।। तदा वै ह्यस्य धर्मस्य फलं कथयितुं भवेत्

āyuśca brahmaṇā tulyaṁ labhedyadi mahāvrata tadā vai hyasya dharmasya phalaṁ kathayituṁ bhavet

—and, O great votary, even if one obtained a lifespan equal to Brahma's, still it would not be possible to fully declare the fruit of this observance.

Verse 41 (skanda.2.147.41)

य इमं श्रावयेद्भक्त्या द्वादशीकल्पमुत्तमम् ।। शृणोति वा स पापैस्तु सर्वैरेव विमुच्यते

ya imaṁ śrāvayedbhaktyā dvādaśīkalpamuttamam śṛṇoti vā sa pāpaistu sarvaireva vimucyate

Whoever causes this excellent Dvadashi-rite to be heard with devotion, or whoever merely hears it, is released from all his sins.