Shloka 14

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

Devanagari script

उपोषितैर्नरैस् तस्मात् स्नानम् अभ्यङ्गपूर्वकम् वर्जनीयं प्रयत्नेन रूपघ्नं तत्परं नृप //

Transliteration

upoṣitairnarais tasmāt snānam abhyaṅgapūrvakam varjanīyaṃ prayatnena rūpaghnaṃ tatparaṃ nṛpa //

Translation

Therefore, O king, men who are observing a fast should diligently avoid bathing preceded by oil-anointing (abhyanga), for it is said to diminish the body’s radiance and beauty.

Word by Word

• उपोषितैः (upoṣitaiḥ): by those who are fasting/observing a vow of abstinence

• नरैः (naraiḥ): by men/people

• तस्मात् (tasmāt): therefore

• स्नानम् (snānam): bathing

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

• वर्जनीयम् (varjanīyam): to be avoided

• प्रयत्नेन (prayatnena): with effort/carefully

• रूपघ्नम् (rūpaghnaṃ): beauty-destroying, diminishing appearance/lustre

• तत्परम् (tat-paraṃ): tending toward that effect/leading to that result

• नृप (nṛpa): O king

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (addressed as nṛpa, ‘O king’)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Dharma
• Upavasa
• Snana
• Ritual Purity
• Acharavidhi

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on āchāra (ritual conduct), specifically restrictions for those keeping a fast.

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

It frames personal discipline as part of dharma: a king/householder observing vows should regulate bodily practices (like oil-anointing baths) to maintain ritual propriety and the intended effect of fasting.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual, not architectural: during upavāsa, an oil-anointing bath (abhyanga-pūrvaka snāna) is advised against, as it is considered to reduce lustre/beauty and counter the vow’s discipline.