Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — Prayaga Mahatmya Begins: Yudhishthira’s Remorse

Devanagari script

*नन्दिकेश्वर उवाच सिंहासने समास्थाप्य पादशौचार्चनादिभिः युधिष्ठिरो महात्मा वै पूजयामास तं मुनिम् //

Transliteration

*nandikeśvara uvāca siṃhāsane samāsthāpya pādaśaucārcanādibhiḥ yudhiṣṭhiro mahātmā vai pūjayāmāsa taṃ munim //

Translation

Nandikeśvara said: Having seated him upon a throne and honoring him with rites such as washing his feet and offering due worship, the great-souled Yudhiṣṭhira paid reverence to that sage.

Word by Word

• नन्दिकेश्वरः: Nandikeśvara

• उवाच: said

• सिंहासने: on a throne/royal seat

• समास्थाप्य: having properly seated/installed

• पादशौच-अर्चन-आदिभिः: with (rites) such as washing the feet and performing worship

• युधिष्ठिरः: Yudhiṣṭhira

• महात्मा: great-souled

• वै: indeed

• पूजयामास: honoured/worshipped

• तम्: that

• मुनिम्: sage

Speaker

• Nandikeśvara

Entities Mentioned

• Nandikeśvara
• Yudhiṣṭhira
• Muni (sage)

Tags

• Dharma
• Rishi-satkara
• Rajadharma
• Ritual etiquette
• Hospitality

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya or cosmology; it highlights dharmic conduct—specifically the proper honouring of a visiting sage.

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

It models rishi-satkara (reverent reception of sages): offering an honoured seat and performing respectful rites like washing the feet—an ideal of rajadharma and atithi-dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it references pādaśauca (washing the guest’s feet) and arcanā (formal worship/obeisance); the “siṁhāsana” indicates an honoured seat used in ceremonial reception.