Shloka 40

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

Devanagari script

विलिखेन्न नखैर्भूमिं नाङ्गारेण न भस्मना न शयालुः सदा तिष्ठेद् व्यायामं च विवर्जयेत् //

Transliteration

vilikhenna nakhairbhūmiṃ nāṅgāreṇa na bhasmanā na śayāluḥ sadā tiṣṭhed vyāyāmaṃ ca vivarjayet //

Translation

One should not scratch or mark the ground with the nails, nor with burning embers, nor with ashes. One should not be habitually prone to lying down; rather, one should remain steadily upright and avoid excessive physical exertion.

Word by Word

• vilikhet: should scratch/inscribe

• na: not

• nakhaiḥ: with the nails

• bhūmim: the ground/earth

• na aṅgāreṇa: not with embers/charcoal

• na bhasmanā: not with ash

• na śayāluḥ: not one who is addicted to lying down/indolent

• sadā: always

• tiṣṭhet: should stand/remain (steadfast/upright)

• vyāyāmam: physical exercise/exertion

• ca: and

• vivarjayet: should avoid/abstain from

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating traditional dharma/ācāra injunctions as received in the Purāṇic discourse)

Tags

• Dharma
• Achara
• Self-discipline
• Householder conduct
• Purity rules

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it is an ācāra (conduct) injunction focused on disciplined, respectful behavior.

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

It promotes self-restraint and decorum—avoiding idle, careless acts (like defacing the ground with nails, ash, or embers) and avoiding both sloth (lying about) and extremes of exertion—qualities expected of disciplined householders and leaders alike.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Indirectly, it supports ritual cleanliness and respect for sacred/household spaces: not defacing floors or smearing with ash/embers aligns with maintaining orderly, pure environments important for domestic rites and temple-like discipline.