Shloka 55

Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī

Devanagari script

इतिहासपुराणानि वाचयित्वातिवाहयेत् तद्दिनं नरशार्दूल य इच्छेद्विपुलां श्रियम् //

Transliteration

itihāsapurāṇāni vācayitvātivāhayet taddinaṃ naraśārdūla ya icchedvipulāṃ śriyam //

Translation

O tiger among men, one who desires abundant prosperity should spend that day by having the Itihāsas and Purāṇas recited (or by reciting them) and thus pass the time in their hearing.

Word by Word

• इतिहासपुराणानि (itihāsa-purāṇāni): the Itihāsas and Purāṇas

• वाचयित्वा (vācayitvā): having caused to be recited / having recited

• अतिवाहयेत् (ativāhayet): should pass (the time), should spend

• तत्-दिनम् (tad-dinam): that day

• नरशार्दूल (naraśārdūla): O tiger among men (noble one)

• यः (yaḥ): whoever

• इच्छेत् (icchet): desires, wishes

• विपुलाम् (vipulām): great, abundant

• श्रियम् (śriyam): prosperity, fortune, auspicious success

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Itihasa
• Purana
• Shri (prosperity)

Tags

• Dharma
• Shravana
• Purana-Patha
• Prosperity
• Householder-Duties

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya directly; it emphasizes dharmic practice—spending one’s time in hearing/reciting Itihāsa-Purāṇa—as a means to gain auspicious prosperity.

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

It frames a practical duty of disciplined time-use: a king or householder seeking śrī (prosperity and auspicious success) should dedicate the day to sacred recitation/hearing, aligning governance and domestic life with dharma through scriptural listening.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is śravaṇa/pāṭha—organizing recitation of Itihāsas and Purāṇas as a merit-producing observance.