Shloka 43

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

Devanagari script

न वस्त्रहीना नोद्विग्ना न चार्द्रचरणा सती नामङ्गल्यां वदेद्वाचं न च हास्याधिका भवेत् //

Transliteration

na vastrahīnā nodvignā na cārdracaraṇā satī nāmaṅgalyāṃ vadedvācaṃ na ca hāsyādhikā bhavet //

Translation

A virtuous woman should not be without proper clothing, nor remain agitated; she should not go about with wet feet. She should not utter inauspicious words, and she should not indulge in excessive laughter.

Word by Word

• na: not

• vastra-hīnā: devoid of clothing/proper garments

• na: not

• udvignā: agitated, anxious, disturbed

• na: not

• ca: and

• ārdracaraṇā: having wet feet (with damp/wet steps)

• satī: a virtuous woman, chaste/ethical woman

• na: not

• amaṅgalyām: inauspicious (speech/utterance), ill-omened

• vaded: should speak/utter

• vācam: speech, words

• na: not

• ca: and

• hāsya-adhikā: excessively given to laughter/jesting

• bhavet: should be/should become.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice summarizing dharma instructions of the Matsya Purana tradition)

Tags

• Dharma
• Sadachara
• Grihastha
• Auspiciousness
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it focuses on auspicious daily conduct (sadācāra) and self-restraint in speech and demeanor.

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

It supports householder-dharma by prescribing auspicious, orderly behavior within the home—composure, cleanliness, and restrained speech—values that a king is also expected to promote as social discipline.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated; however, the emphasis on auspiciousness (maṅgala) and purity (e.g., not moving about with wet feet) aligns with broader ritual notions of śauca and proper conduct in sacred or domestic spaces.