Shloka 34

Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī

Devanagari script

श्रुत्वा प्रभाते संजाते नदीं गत्वा विशां पते स्नानं कृत्वा मृदा तद्वत् पाषण्डान् अभिवर्जयेत् //

Transliteration

śrutvā prabhāte saṃjāte nadīṃ gatvā viśāṃ pate snānaṃ kṛtvā mṛdā tadvat pāṣaṇḍān abhivarjayet //

Translation

Having listened to the prescribed recitation when morning has arisen, O lord of the people, one should go to the river and bathe; then, using cleansing earth (clay) likewise, one should completely avoid the pāṣaṇḍas (heretical, anti-Vedic sectarians).

Word by Word

• श्रुत्वा: having heard/listened

• प्रभाते संजाते: when dawn/morning has arisen

• नदीं गत्वा: having gone to the river

• विशां पते: O lord of the people (address to the king)

• स्नानं कृत्वा: having performed bathing

• मृदा: with earth/clay (as a purifier)

• तद्वत्: likewise/in the same manner (as prescribed)

• पाषण्डान्: pāṣaṇḍas, heretics/sectarians opposed to Vedic dharma

• अभिवर्जयेत्: should wholly avoid/shun

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu/ideal kingly listener

Entities Mentioned

• Vaivasvata Manu
• Lord Matsya
• River (nadi)
• Pāṣaṇḍas

Tags

• Dharma
• Snana
• Shaucha
• Rajadharma
• Acharavidhi

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on daily discipline—morning observance, ritual bathing, and maintaining orthodox dharmic association.

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

Addressing “O lord of the people,” it frames personal purity and right association as royal/householder duties: begin the day with prescribed hearing/recitation, perform river-bathing and cleansing, and avoid influences considered anti-Vedic (pāṣaṇḍa) to protect social and moral order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is śauca (purity): river-bathing and cleansing with earth/clay are presented as standard purificatory acts before engaging in dharmic duties; no Vāstu or temple-architecture rule is specified in this verse.