Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — Ritual Bathing

Devanagari script

एवं स्नात्वा ततः पश्चाद् आचम्य च विधानतः उत्थाय वाससी शुक्ले शुद्धे तु परिधाय वै ततस्तु तर्पणं कुर्यात् त्रैलोक्याप्यायनाय वै //

Transliteration

evaṃ snātvā tataḥ paścād ācamya ca vidhānataḥ utthāya vāsasī śukle śuddhe tu paridhāya vai tatastu tarpaṇaṃ kuryāt trailokyāpyāyanāya vai //

Translation

Thus, having bathed, and thereafter performing ācamana according to the prescribed rule, one should rise and put on clean, pure white garments. Then one should perform tarpaṇa (the rite of libations), for the nourishment and satisfaction of the three worlds.

Word by Word

• evaṃ: thus

• snātvā: having bathed

• tataḥ paścāt: thereafter

• ācamya: having sipped water ritually (ācamana)

• ca: and

• vidhānataḥ: according to injunction/procedure

• utthāya: having risen/standing up

• vāsasī: garments (upper and lower cloth)

• śukle: white

• śuddhe: clean/pure

• tu: indeed

• paridhāya: having put on/wearing

• vai: certainly

• tataḥ tu: then indeed

• tarpaṇaṃ: tarpaṇa (satisfying rite of water-offerings)

• kuryāt: should do

• trailokya: the three worlds

• āpyāyanāya: for refreshing/nourishing/satiating

• vai: indeed.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a didactic narrative frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Trailokya (Three Worlds)
• Tarpana
• Snana
• Achamana

Tags

• Dharma
• Ritual
• Snana
• Achamana
• Tarpana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it teaches daily ritual discipline—post-bath purification and tarpaṇa—described as sustaining harmony across the three worlds (trailokya).

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

It lays down a standard nitya-karma sequence (snāna → ācamana → clean white clothing → tarpaṇa), applicable especially to householders and rulers who are expected to uphold dharma through regular purificatory rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: it specifies procedural purity (vidhānataḥ), the wearing of clean white garments, and the performance of tarpaṇa as a world-sustaining rite.