Shloka 22

Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī

Devanagari script

तथैव विष्णुमभ्यर्च्य नभो नारायणेति च कृष्णाय पादौ सम्पूज्य शिरः सर्वात्मने नमः //

Transliteration

tathaiva viṣṇumabhyarcya nabho nārāyaṇeti ca kṛṣṇāya pādau sampūjya śiraḥ sarvātmane namaḥ //

Translation

In the same manner, having duly worshipped Viṣṇu, one should offer to the sky the salutation, “O Nārāyaṇa”; and, after fully worshipping the feet for Kṛṣṇa, one should bow the head, uttering, “Homage to the All-Self.”

Word by Word

• तथैव: likewise, in the same way

• विष्णुम्: Vishnu

• अभ्यर्च्य: having worshipped, having honored with offerings

• नभः: the sky, the firmament

• नारायणेति: “(to) Nārāyaṇa” thus (as a mantra/formula)

• च: and

• कृष्णाय: to Krishna

• पादौ: the two feet

• सम्पूज्य: having completely worshipped, after performing full reverence

• शिरः: the head

• सर्वात्मने: to the All-Self, to the indwelling Self of all

• नमः: homage, salutation.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (as Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu on worship procedure (contextual attribution within Matsya Purana dialogue flow)

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu
• Narayana
• Krishna
• Sarvatman (All-Self)

Tags

• Ritual
• Archana
• Mantra
• Vaishnava Worship
• Purana Vidhi

FAQs

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

It does not directly discuss pralaya; instead, it emphasizes Vishnu as “Sarvātman,” the all-pervading Self—an idea often used in the Purāṇas to ground cosmic cycles in the Supreme’s immanence.

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

It models disciplined daily devotion: orderly worship (archana), mantra-recitation, and humility (bowing the head). In the Matsya Purana’s ethic, such regular worship supports self-control and righteous governance/householder stability.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it encodes a worship-sequence with specific mantric salutations tied to bodily gestures (honoring the feet, bowing the head), reflecting standard pūjā-upacāra order used in temple and household worship.