Shloka 39

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

Devanagari script

पुण्यं पवित्रमायुष्यं सप्तमीस्नपनं रविः कथयित्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठ तत्रैवान्तरधीयत //

Transliteration

puṇyaṃ pavitramāyuṣyaṃ saptamīsnapanaṃ raviḥ kathayitvā dvijaśreṣṭha tatraivāntaradhīyata //

Translation

Having declared that the Saptamī bath is meritorious, purifying, and life-promoting, Ravi (the Sun) spoke thus, O best of the twice-born, and then vanished on the very spot.

Word by Word

• puṇyam: meritorious, bringing religious merit

• pavitram: purifying, sanctifying

• āyuṣyam: conducive to longevity/health

• saptamī-snapanam: the ritual bath (snāna) performed on the seventh lunar day (Saptamī)

• raviḥ: Ravi, the Sun-god

• kathayitvā: having narrated/declared

• dvija-śreṣṭha: O best of the twice-born (excellent brāhmaṇa)

• tatra eva: right there, in that very place

• antaradhīyata: disappeared, became invisible/withdrew from sight

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narration) reporting Ravi’s statement; Ravi (Sun) is the referenced speaker who departs

Entities Mentioned

• Ravi (Surya)

Tags

• Suryopasana
• Snana
• Vrata
• Punya
• Ayushya

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on ritual efficacy—stating that Saptamī snāna yields merit, purity, and longevity, and notes the Sun’s disappearance after teaching it.

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

It supports the householder’s dharma of maintaining purity and performing time-bound observances (vrata/snana). Such practices are presented as ethically beneficial and health-promoting (āyuṣya), aligning personal discipline with religious merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is explicit: Saptamī snāna is praised as purifying and longevity-giving, and the verse marks the close of the Sun-god’s instruction by stating that Ravi disappears after conveying the rite.