Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — Ritual Bathing

Devanagari script

एतानि पुण्यनामानि स्नानकाले प्रकीर्तयेत् भवेत्संनिहिता तत्र गङ्गा त्रिपथगामिनी //

Transliteration

etāni puṇyanāmāni snānakāle prakīrtayet bhavetsaṃnihitā tatra gaṅgā tripathagāminī //

Translation

At the time of bathing, one should recite these holy names; then the Gaṅgā—she who flows along the three paths—becomes present there.

Word by Word

• etāni: these

• puṇya-nāmāni: sacred/meritorious names

• snāna-kāle: at the time of bathing

• prakīrtayet: should recite/proclaim

• bhavet: becomes

• saṃnihitā: present/near at hand

• tatra: there (in that place)

• gaṅgā: the river-goddess Gaṅgā

• tripatha-gāminī: moving in three courses (heaven, earth, and the netherworld).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s ritual teachings)

Entities Mentioned

• Gaṅgā

Tags

• Tirtha
• Snāna
• Mantra
• Ritual
• Gaṅgā-Māhātmya

FAQs

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

It does not discuss pralaya directly; it teaches a ritual principle that sacred recitation can invoke a tirtha’s divine presence—here, Gaṅgā—at one’s bathing place.

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

It supports nitya-śauca (daily purification): a householder (and a king as an exemplar) should perform bathing with remembrance/recitation of sacred names, integrating inner devotion with outer cleanliness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it prescribes nāma-kīrtana at snāna as a means of sanctifying the act and the location, effectively making the bathing spot equivalent in merit to Gaṅgā’s presence.