Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — Conclusion of the Prayaga Mahatmya: Kingship Restored

Devanagari script

*वासुदेव उवाच मम वाक्यं च कर्तव्यं महाराज ब्रवीम्यहम् नित्यं जपस्व जुह्वस्व प्रयागे विगतज्वरः //

Transliteration

*vāsudeva uvāca mama vākyaṃ ca kartavyaṃ mahārāja bravīmyaham nityaṃ japasva juhvasva prayāge vigatajvaraḥ //

Translation

Vāsudeva said: “O great king, you must carry out my instruction—thus do I declare. Perform japa daily and offer homa oblations; at Prayāga, free from fever (affliction), do so.”

Word by Word

• vāsudevaḥ uvāca: Vāsudeva said

• mama: my

• vākyaṃ: instruction/command

• ca: and

• kartavyam: to be done, obligatory

• mahārāja: O great king

• bravīmi: I declare/say

• aham: I

• nityam: always/daily

• japasva: do japa, repeat sacred formulae

• juhvasva: perform homa, offer oblations into fire

• prayāge: at Prayāga (the sacred confluence)

• vigata-jvaraḥ: free from fever, freed from affliction/heat of suffering

Speaker

• Vāsudeva (Lord Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa addressed as Vāsudeva)

Entities Mentioned

• Vāsudeva
• Prayāga
• Mahārāja (the King)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Tirtha
• Japa
• Homa
• Prayaga

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya directly; it emphasizes practical dharmic discipline—daily japa and homa—framed as a means to remove affliction (vigatajvaraḥ) through sacred observance at Prayāga.

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

It presents obedience to divine instruction as a royal duty and prescribes steady daily practice (japa) and Vedic-style offering (homa), showing that rulership/household life is to be anchored in regular ritual and self-discipline.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is explicit: japa (mantra recitation) and juhu/homa (fire oblations), with Prayāga highlighted as a potent tirtha where such acts are especially purifying and curative of “fever/affliction.”