Shloka 39

Matsya Purana — The Madana-Dvādaśī Vow and the Birth of the Maruts

Devanagari script

जले च नावगाहेत शून्यागारं च वर्जयेत् वल्मीकायां न तिष्ठेत न चोद्विग्नमना भवेत् //

Transliteration

jale ca nāvagāheta śūnyāgāraṃ ca varjayet valmīkāyāṃ na tiṣṭheta na codvignamanā bhavet //

Translation

One should not bathe by immersing oneself in water in improper or unsafe places; one should avoid an empty, deserted house; one should not stand upon an anthill; and one should not remain with an agitated, anxious mind.

Word by Word

• jale: in water

• ca: and

• na avagāheta: should not plunge/immerse (bathe by submerging)

• śūnya-agāram: an empty/deserted house

• ca: and

• varjayet: should avoid

• valmīkāyām: on an anthill/termite mound

• na tiṣṭheta: should not stand/remain

• na ca: and not

• udvigna-manā: with a disturbed/anxious mind

• bhavet: should be/become

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu

Tags

• Dharma
• Sadachara
• Purity
• Conduct
• Risk-avoidance

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; instead, it gives practical dharma-based cautions for daily living—avoiding unsafe places and maintaining mental steadiness.

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

It functions as sadācāra: a householder (and by extension a king setting public norms) should avoid risky or inauspicious locations and cultivate a composed mind, supporting health, social order, and ritual propriety.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Avoiding a deserted house and not standing on an anthill reflect inauspicious-site avoidance found in Vastu-oriented thinking; such places are treated as unsuitable for dwelling, ritual presence, or stable settlement.