Shloka 9

Matsya Purana — Ritual Bathing

Devanagari script

सप्तवाराभिजप्तेन करसम्पुटयोजितः मूर्ध्नि कुर्याज्जलं भूयस् त्रिचतुष्पञ्चसप्तकम् स्नानं कुर्यान्मृदा तद्वद् आमन्त्र्य तु विधानतः //

Transliteration

saptavārābhijaptena karasampuṭayojitaḥ mūrdhni kuryājjalaṃ bhūyas tricatuṣpañcasaptakam snānaṃ kuryānmṛdā tadvad āmantrya tu vidhānataḥ //

Translation

Having recited (the mantra) seven times, and cupping the hands together, one should pour water again and again upon the crown of the head—three, four, five, or seven times. In the same manner one should bathe with purifying earth (clay), duly invoking it according to the prescribed rule.

Word by Word

• सप्तवार (saptavāra): seven times

• अभिजप्तेन (abhijaptena): after being recited/enchanted (with mantra)

• कर-सम्पुट (kara-sampuṭa): cupped hands/hollow formed by the palms

• योजितः (yojitaḥ): having joined/arranged

• मूर्ध्नि (mūrdhni): on the crown of the head

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): should do/should perform

• जलम् (jalam): water

• भूयस् (bhūyas): again, repeatedly

• त्रि-चतुष्-पञ्च-सप्तकम् (tri-catuṣ-pañca-saptakam): three, four, five, or seven times

• स्नानम् (snānam): bathing/ablution

• कुर्यात् (kuryāt): should perform

• मृदा (mṛdā): with earth/clay (purifying soil)

• तद्वत् (tadvat): likewise/in the same way

• आमन्त्र्य (āmantrya): having invoked/addressed (ritually)

• तु (tu): indeed/then

• विधानतः (vidhānataḥ): according to injunction/prescribed procedure.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this instructional section)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vishnu
• Vaivasvata Manu
• mantra
• mṛd (purifying earth)

Tags

• Snana
• Shauca
• Mantra
• RitualProcedure
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it gives practical śauca (purification) instructions—mantra-charged water poured on the head and bathing with consecrated earth—showing how dharma is maintained through ritual purity rather than describing cosmic dissolution.

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

It prescribes disciplined daily purification (snāna with mantra and mṛdā), a core duty for householders and rulers alike before worship, gifts, rites, or governance—implying that personal purity supports ethical action and public dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies counted ablutions (3/4/5/7) and the use of invoked purifying earth—procedural details often required before temple entry, image worship, or Vastu-related consecrations where purity is a prerequisite.