Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī

Devanagari script

माघमासस्य दशमी यदा शुक्ला भवेत्तदा घृतेनाभ्यञ्जनं कृत्वा तिलैः स्नानं समाचरेत् //

Transliteration

māghamāsasya daśamī yadā śuklā bhavettadā ghṛtenābhyañjanaṃ kṛtvā tilaiḥ snānaṃ samācaret //

Translation

In the month of Māgha, when the tenth lunar day occurs in the bright fortnight, one should anoint the body with ghee and duly perform a bath using sesame (tila) preparations.

Word by Word

• māgha-māsasya: of the month of Māgha

• daśamī: the tenth lunar day (tithi)

• yadā: when

• śuklā: the bright fortnight (Śukla-pakṣa)

• bhavet: occurs/is

• tadā: then

• ghṛtena: with ghee (clarified butter)

• abhyañjanam: oiling/anointing of the body

• kṛtvā: having done

• tilaiḥ: with sesame (seeds/paste/water infused with sesame)

• snānam: bathing/ritual bath

• samācaret: should properly perform/observe

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Māgha
• Daśamī
• Śukla-pakṣa
• Ghṛta
• Tila
• Snāna

Tags

• Vrata
• Māgha Snāna
• Ritual Bathing
• Dharma
• Tithi

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it prescribes a Māgha-month ritual observance (vrata) focused on purity through abhyanga (anointing) and snāna (bathing) on Śukla Daśamī.

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

It frames dharma as disciplined daily/seasonal conduct: a householder (and likewise a king as moral exemplar) should observe calendrical rites—here, a specific tithi-based bath—supporting personal purity and public religious order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritual significance: on Māgha Śukla Daśamī, one performs ghṛta-abhyanga (ghee anointing) followed by tila-snāna (sesame bath), a purification rite commonly linked with merit (puṇya) in Purāṇic vrata practice.