Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — Mandāra-Saptamī Vrata

Devanagari script

विप्रान् सम्पूजयित्वा तु मन्दारं प्राशयेन्निशि ततः प्रभात उत्थाय कृत्वा स्नानं पुनर्द्विजान् //

Transliteration

viprān sampūjayitvā tu mandāraṃ prāśayenniśi tataḥ prabhāta utthāya kṛtvā snānaṃ punardvijān //

Translation

Having duly honored the Brahmins, one should at night partake of (or administer) mandāra; then, rising at dawn and performing the ritual bath, one should again attend to and honor the dvija, the twice-born.

Word by Word

• विप्रान् (viprān): Brahmins

• सम्पूजयित्वा (sampūjayitvā): having fully worshipped/honored

• तु (tu): then/indeed

• मन्दारम् (mandāram): mandāra (a sacred plant/flower

• प्राशयेत् (prāśayet): should cause to partake/administer

• निशि (niśi): at night

• ततः (tataḥ): thereafter

• प्रभाते (prabhāte): at dawn

• उत्थाय (utthāya): having risen

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having done

• स्नानम् (snānam): bathing/ritual bath

• पुनः (punaḥ): again

• द्विजान् (dvijān): the twice-born (Brahmins/initiated classes), here specifically Brahmins as recipients of honor.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, didactic narration typical of Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Vipra (Brahmins)
• Dvija (twice-born)
• Mandāra

Tags

• Dharma
• Ritual
• Brāhmaṇa-pūjā
• Vrata
• Purificatory bath

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on ritual discipline—honoring Brahmins, a night observance involving mandāra, and purification by bathing at dawn.

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

It frames a dharmic routine: respectful service to Brahmins (brāhmaṇa-pūjā), regulated conduct at night, and morning purification—core expectations for both a righteous king and a disciplined householder in Purāṇic ethics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes sequencing: honor officiants/learned Brahmins, perform the prescribed night act (mandāra), then cleanse at dawn before resuming rites—purity and proper order are prerequisites for many temple and domestic rituals.