Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — The Rite of the Vibhūti-Dvādaśī Vow

Devanagari script

ततः प्रभात उत्थाय कृतस्नानजपः शुचिः पूजयेत्पुण्डरीकाक्षं शुक्लमाल्यानुलेपनैः //

Transliteration

tataḥ prabhāta utthāya kṛtasnānajapaḥ śuciḥ pūjayetpuṇḍarīkākṣaṃ śuklamālyānulepanaiḥ //

Translation

Then, rising at dawn, having bathed and performed japa-recitation, and being purified, one should worship Puṇḍarīkākṣa (Viṣṇu) with white garlands and white fragrant unguents.

Word by Word

• ततः (tataḥ): then/thereafter

• प्रभाते (prabhāte): at dawn

• उत्थाय (utthāya): having risen

• कृत-स्नान-जपः (kṛta-snānajapaḥ): one who has performed bathing and mantra-recitation

• शुचिः (śuciḥ): pure/clean

• पूजयेत् (pūjayet): should worship

• पुण्डरीकाक्षम् (puṇḍarīkākṣam): Puṇḍarīkākṣa, the lotus-eyed Lord (Vishnu)

• शुक्ल-माल्य-अनुलेपनैः (śukla-mālyānulepanaiḥ): with white garlands and white anointing pastes/unguents

Speaker

• Suta Goswami (narrative instruction within a ritual section of the Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Puṇḍarīkākṣa (Vishnu)

Tags

• Puja
• Vishnu
• Ritual Purity
• Morning Rites
• Iconography

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it gives a practical rule for daily worship—purification at dawn followed by Vishnu-puja with specific (white) offerings.

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

It frames a dharmic daily discipline: rise early, bathe, perform japa, maintain cleanliness, and worship Vishnu—an ideal routine for householders and rulers alike to cultivate inner and outer purity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies standard upacāras (offerings): śukla (white) garlands and anulepana (fragrant unguents), reflecting purity and sattva in Vaishnava icon-worship (pratimā/arcā).