Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — The Observance of Ananta-Tritiya

Devanagari script

सिन्दूरकुङ्कुमस्नानम् अतीवेष्टतमं यतः तथोपदेष्टारमपि पूजयेद्यत्नतो गुरुम् न पूज्यते गुरुर्यत्र सर्वास्तत्राफलाः क्रियाः //

Transliteration

sindūrakuṅkumasnānam atīveṣṭatamaṃ yataḥ tathopadeṣṭāramapi pūjayedyatnato gurum na pūjyate gururyatra sarvāstatrāphalāḥ kriyāḥ //

Translation

Since bathing and adorning oneself with vermilion (sindūra) and saffron (kuṅkuma) is held to be exceedingly cherished, so too should one diligently honor the Guru—the very instructor. Where the Guru is not revered, all actions and rites performed there become fruitless.

Word by Word

• sindūra: vermilion

• kuṅkuma: saffron

• snānam: bathing/ablution

• atīva: exceedingly

• iṣṭatamam: most dear/most cherished

• yataḥ: since/because

• tathā: likewise/in the same way

• upadeṣṭāram: the instructor/one who gives teaching

• api: also/even

• pūjayet: should worship/honor

• yatnataḥ: with effort/diligently

• gurum: the Guru/spiritual preceptor

• na: not

• pūjyate: is honored/is worshiped

• yatra: where

• sarvāḥ: all

• tatra: there

• aphalāḥ: fruitless/without result

• kriyāḥ: acts/ritual actions/observances.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Guru
• Upadeṣṭā (Instructor)

Tags

• Dharma
• Ritual
• Guru-bhakti
• Ācāra
• Pūjā

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it teaches ethical-ritual causality: neglect of the Guru nullifies the spiritual efficacy of one’s rites.

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

It frames a core duty of both rulers and householders: honoring the teacher who imparts dharma and ritual knowledge; without such respect, religious observances and meritorious acts are said to yield no fruit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is explicit: external ritual adornment (sindūra/kuṅkuma bathing) is secondary to honoring the Guru; guru-pūjā is presented as a prerequisite for rites to succeed.