Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

सप्तमीस्नपनं वक्ष्ये सर्वलोकहिताय वै जातस्य मृतवत्सायाः सप्तमे मासि नारद अथवा शुक्लसप्तम्याम् एतत्सर्वं प्रशस्यते //

Transliteration

saptamīsnapanaṃ vakṣye sarvalokahitāya vai jātasya mṛtavatsāyāḥ saptame māsi nārada athavā śuklasaptamyām etatsarvaṃ praśasyate //

Translation

I shall explain the Saptamī bathing rite (Saptamī-snapana), intended for the welfare of all people. O Nārada, it is especially commended for a woman who has given birth to a dead child—either in the seventh month, or on the bright fortnight’s seventh lunar day; all of this is considered highly praiseworthy.

Word by Word

• सप्तमी-स्नपनम्: the Saptamī bathing/ablution rite

• वक्ष्ये: I will explain

• सर्व-लोक-हिताय: for the welfare of all worlds/people

• वै: indeed

• जातस्य: of one who has given birth

• मृत-वत्सायाः: of a woman whose child (calf/offspring) has died, i.e., stillbirth/infant death

• सप्तमे मासि: in the seventh month

• नारद: O Nārada

• अथवा: or

• शुक्ल-सप्तम्याम्: on the 7th tithi of the bright fortnight

• एतत् सर्वम्: all this (procedure and timing)

• प्रशस्यते: is praised/commended.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu as Matsya), instructing Nārada

Entities Mentioned

• Narada
• Saptami (lunar seventh day)

Tags

• Ritual
• Samskara
• Vrata
• Purificatory rites
• Matsya Purana rituals

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on a ritual bathing observance (Saptamī-snapana) and its recommended timing for purification and well-being.

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

It supports the householder’s dharma by prescribing a specific purificatory rite and auspicious timing, especially addressing ritual well-being after an inauspicious birth outcome, reinforcing social and personal religious duty.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): it commends the Saptamī bathing rite, particularly for a woman who has suffered a stillbirth/infant loss, to be performed in the seventh month or on Śukla Saptamī.