Shloka 44

Matsya Purana — Agastya’s Origin

Devanagari script

*ईश्वर उवाच प्रत्यूषसमये विद्वान् कुर्यादस्योदये निशि स्नानं शुक्लतिलैस्तद्वच् छुक्लमाल्याम्बरो गृही //

Transliteration

*īśvara uvāca pratyūṣasamaye vidvān kuryādasyodaye niśi snānaṃ śuklatilaistadvac chuklamālyāmbaro gṛhī //

Translation

Īśvara said: “At the pre-dawn hour, the wise person should perform a bath; likewise, at its rising (dawn), even if it is still night. He should bathe using white sesame seeds; and in the same manner, the householder should wear white garments and a white garland.”

Word by Word

• ईश्वर (īśvara): the Lord

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• प्रत्यूषसमये (pratyūṣa-samaye): at pre-dawn time

• विद्वान् (vidvān): the wise person

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): should do/should perform

• अस्य (asya): of this/at this (time/occasion)

• उदये (udaye): at rising, at dawn

• निशि (niśi): in the night

• स्नानं (snānaṃ): bath, ritual bathing

• शुक्लतिलैः (śukla-tilaiḥ): with white sesame seeds

• तद्वत् (tadvat): likewise, in the same way

• शुक्लमाल्य (śukla-mālya): white garland

• अम्बरः (ambaraḥ): clothing/garment

• गृही (gṛhī): householder

Speaker

• Īśvara (Lord Matsya/Vishnu as the divine instructor)

Entities Mentioned

• Īśvara
• gṛhī (householder)
• śukla-tila (white sesame)

Tags

• Vrata
• Snana
• Ritual Purity
• Householder Dharma
• Auspicious Timing

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on daily ritual purity—pre-dawn bathing and auspicious observance—rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It gives gṛhastha-dharma style guidance: the householder should bathe at pre-dawn/dawn and adopt sāttvika markers (white clothing and garland), emphasizing discipline, purity, and auspicious conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (snāna-vidhi): bathing at pratyūṣa (pre-dawn) and using white sesame, along with wearing white garments/garlands—common purity markers in Purāṇic vrata practice.