Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — The Greatness and Procedure of the Aṅgāra

Devanagari script

स कदाचिद्भवांस्तस्य पूजार्घ्यादिकमुत्तमम् दृष्टवान्क्रियमाणं च शूद्रेण च व्यवस्थितः //

Transliteration

sa kadācidbhavāṃstasya pūjārghyādikamuttamam dṛṣṭavānkriyamāṇaṃ ca śūdreṇa ca vyavasthitaḥ //

Translation

Once, you happened to see his excellent acts of worship—such as the offering of arghya and the like—being performed, duly arranged, by a Śūdra.

Word by Word

• स (sa): he

• कदाचित् (kadācid): once/at some time

• भवान् (bhavān): you (honorific)

• तस्य (tasya): of him/of that person

• पूजा-अर्घ्य-आदिकम् (pūjārghyādikam): worship, arghya-offering, and related rites

• उत्तमम् (uttamam): excellent/supreme

• दृष्टवान् (dṛṣṭavān): saw/observed

• क्रियमाणम् (kriyamāṇam): being done/being performed

• च (ca): and

• शूद्रेण (śūdreṇa): by a Śūdra

• च (ca): and

• व्यवस्थितः (vyavasthitaḥ): properly arranged/standing in due order/duly regulated.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice recounting a dialogue frame; attribution inferred from Purāṇic narration style)

Entities Mentioned

• Śūdra
• Pūjā
• Arghya

Tags

• Puja
• Ritual
• Dharma
• SocialOrder
• MatsyaPurana

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it focuses on an observed act of worship (pūjā) and the proper performance of offerings like arghya.

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

It highlights attentive observation of correct ritual performance—relevant to householders and rulers who are expected to uphold dharma by ensuring worship is conducted properly and respectfully within their domain.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes pūjā procedures, specifically arghya and allied offerings, being 'vyavasthita'—properly arranged—an idea that aligns with orderly ritual setup (often discussed alongside temple/altar arrangement in Purāṇic practice).