Shloka 53

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

Devanagari script

मेने कृतार्थमात्मानं प्रीत्या विस्मितमानसा अकृत्वा पादयोः शौचं प्रसुप्ता मुक्तमूर्धजा //

Transliteration

mene kṛtārthamātmānaṃ prītyā vismitamānasā akṛtvā pādayoḥ śaucaṃ prasuptā muktamūrdhajā //

Translation

Her mind amazed and filled with joy, she deemed herself wholly fulfilled; yet, without performing the cleansing at the feet, she fell asleep, her hair loosened.

Word by Word

• मेने: she thought/considered

• कृतार्थम्: successful, fulfilled, having attained one’s purpose

• आत्मानम्: herself

• प्रीत्या: with delight, out of affection/joy

• विस्मित-मानसा: whose mind was astonished

• अकृत्वा: without doing, having not performed

• पादयोः: of the feet

• शौचम्: purification, cleansing, ritual cleanliness

• प्रसुप्ता: fell asleep

• मुक्त-मूर्धजा: with loosened hair (hair untied), dishevelled

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the episode within the Matsya–Manu narrative frame

Entities Mentioned

• Manu
• Matsya

Tags

• Pralaya
• Ritual Purity
• Narrative
• Dharma
• Manu

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it sets the human emotional tone within the Pralaya-cycle narrative: awe and joy at divine events can make one negligent of prescribed observances, even as the larger flood story approaches.

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

It underscores shauca (ritual cleanliness) as a dharmic duty: even in moments of excitement or devotion, one should not neglect basic purificatory conduct, a key discipline for householders and rulers alike.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights pāda-śauca (cleansing at the feet) and proper bodily discipline (e.g., hair tied/regulated) as markers of readiness for sacred acts—principles that also inform temple-entry and worship protocols.