Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — The Karmic Cause of Purūravas’ Beauty and Fortune

Devanagari script

उपोष्य पूजयामास राज्यकामो जनार्दनम् चकार सोपवासश्च स्नानम् अभ्यङ्गपूर्वकम् //

Transliteration

upoṣya pūjayāmāsa rājyakāmo janārdanam cakāra sopavāsaśca snānam abhyaṅgapūrvakam //

Translation

Desiring sovereignty, he observed a fast and worshipped Janārdana (Viṣṇu). While maintaining the fast, he also performed a bath preceded by oil-anointing (abhyaṅga).

Word by Word

• upōṣya: having fasted/after observing a fast

• pūjayāmāsa: worshipped, performed pūjā

• rājyakāmaḥ: desiring kingship/sovereignty

• janārdanam: Janārdana (Viṣṇu), remover of afflictions

• cakāra: did, performed

• sa-upavāsaḥ: together with fasting/while fasting

• ca: and

• snānam: ritual bath

• abhyaṅga-pūrvakam: preceded by oil massage/anointing (abhyaṅga)

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) reporting the observance within the Matsya Purāṇa’s vrata/rajadharma context

Entities Mentioned

• Janārdana (Viṣṇu)

Tags

• Vrata
• Upavāsa
• Pūjā
• Snāna
• Rajadharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on a merit-producing religious observance—fasting, worship of Viṣṇu (Janārdana), and ritual bathing—as a means to attain desired worldly authority.

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

It frames legitimate royal attainment as grounded in dharmic discipline: a ruler or aspirant to power should cultivate self-restraint (upavāsa), devotional worship (pūjā), and ritual purity (snāna), implying that political authority is to be sought through righteous conduct rather than mere force.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual detail is the sequence: fasting accompanied by worship, and a purificatory bath preceded by oil-anointing (abhyaṅga). This reflects standard pūjā-preparatory śauca (purity) procedures, often prerequisite for temple worship and vow-observances.