Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Saptamī Sacred Bath and the Mṛtavatsābhiṣeka Rite for Pacifying Misfortune an...

Devanagari script

*नारद उवाच किमुद्वेगाद्भुते कृत्यम् अलक्ष्मीः केन हन्यते मृतवत्साभिषेकादिकार्येषु च किमिष्यते //

Transliteration

*nārada uvāca kimudvegādbhute kṛtyam alakṣmīḥ kena hanyate mṛtavatsābhiṣekādikāryeṣu ca kimiṣyate //

Translation

Narada said: “When one is shaken by anxiety and fear, what rite should be performed? By what means is Alakṣmī—misfortune—destroyed? And what is prescribed in rituals such as the mṛtavatsābhiṣeka and related ceremonial acts?”

Word by Word

• नारदः: Nārada

• उवाच: said

• किम्: what

• उद्वेगात्: from agitation/anxiety

• भूते: when fear/evil-omens have arisen (in a disturbed condition)

• कृत्यम्: what should be done/what rite is to be performed

• अलक्ष्मीः: misfortune, ill-luck (Alakṣmī)

• केन: by what (means)

• हन्यते: is destroyed/removed

• मृतवत्स-अभिषेक-आदि-कार्येषु: in acts such as the mṛtavatsābhiṣeka and similar rites

• च: and

• किम्: what

• इष्यते: is approved/prescribed.

Speaker

• Narada

Entities Mentioned

• Narada
• Alakshmi

Tags

• Shanti
• Rituals
• Alakshmi
• Auspiciousness
• Abhisheka

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya directly; it opens a practical inquiry into removing inauspiciousness and calming distress through prescribed rites.

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

It frames a dharmic concern central to kings and householders: responding to fear, bad omens, and misfortune through sanctioned rituals that restore order, confidence, and auspiciousness in the realm or home.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is explicit: it asks about corrective ceremonies (śānti/abhisheka-type rites), including the mṛtavatsābhiṣeka and related procedures used to counter inauspicious conditions and Alakshmi.