Shloka 15

Matsya Purana — Duties of the Four Āśramas and the Power of Mauna

Devanagari script

धौतदन्तं कृत्तनखं सदा स्नातमलंकृतम् असितं सितकर्मस्थं कस्तं नार्चितुमर्हति //

Transliteration

dhautadantaṃ kṛttanakhaṃ sadā snātamalaṃkṛtam asitaṃ sitakarmasthaṃ kastaṃ nārcitumarhati //

Translation

Who would not be worthy to worship one who keeps the teeth clean, the nails trimmed, is always bathed and well-adorned—though dark in complexion, yet established in pure conduct and virtuous deeds?

Word by Word

• धौत-दन्तम्: one with cleansed teeth

• कृत्त-नखम्: one with trimmed nails

• सदा: always

• स्नातम्: bathed

• अलंकृतम्: adorned / well-groomed

• असितम्: dark / black-complexioned

• सित-कर्म-स्थम्: established in white (pure) actions / virtuous conduct

• कः तम्: who (would) him

• न अर्चितुम् अर्हति: not be fit / not be entitled to worship (i.e., who would be unfit to worship him?)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, describing standards of purity and merit in worship)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu

Tags

• Dharma
• Ritual Purity
• Archana
• Sadachara
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on dharma in worship—external cleanliness and inner purity as qualifications for honoring the worthy.

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

It frames daily discipline (cleanliness, grooming, regular bathing) and, more importantly, pure conduct as marks of a respectable person—guiding householders and rulers to honor virtue rather than judging by appearance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it supports archana norms: the worshipper (and the honored person) should embody śauca (cleanliness) and śīla (good conduct), underscoring that inner purity validates outer ritual.