Shloka 35

Matsya Purana — The Observance of Ananta-Tritiya

Devanagari script

गर्भिणी सूतिका नक्तं कुमारी वाथ रोगिणी यद्यशुद्धा तदान्येन वारयेत्प्रयता स्वयम् //

Transliteration

garbhiṇī sūtikā naktaṃ kumārī vātha rogiṇī yadyaśuddhā tadānyena vārayetprayatā svayam //

Translation

A pregnant woman, a woman in the post‑partum state, one observing a night‑vow (or fasting at night), an unmarried girl, or a sick woman—if she is in a state of impurity, then she should be restrained from the rite by another person; but if necessary, she herself, being careful, should refrain.

Word by Word

• garbhiṇī: pregnant woman

• sūtikā: a woman who has recently given birth (post-partum)

• naktam: observing a night-observance/fast (naktavrata)

• kumārī: unmarried maiden

• vā/atha: or/also

• rogiṇī: sick woman

• yadi: if

• aśuddhā: impure/not ritually fit

• tadā: then

• anyena: by another person

• vārayet: should restrain/forbid/stop

• prayatā: careful, attentive, self-controlled

• svayam: herself

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this dharma section)

Entities Mentioned

• Garbhiṇī (pregnant woman)
• Sūtikā (post-partum woman)
• Kumārī (unmarried girl)

Tags

• Dharma
• Achara
• Shaucha
• Ritual eligibility
• Householder duties

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on dharma (ācāra)—specifically ritual eligibility and purity conditions for certain persons.

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

It guides household and community discipline: if someone is ritually unfit (due to illness, pregnancy, post-partum state, or similar conditions), the householder/guardian should ensure rites are not improperly performed, preserving the correctness (vidhi) of domestic and religious observances.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is eligibility (adhikāra) and śauca: persons in impurity should be kept from officiating/participating in rites; this supports proper performance of pūjā, homa, and vrata procedures.