Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — The Sun-Vow

Devanagari script

इत्यनेन विधिना समाचरेद् अब्दभेकमिह यस्तु मानवः सो ऽधिरोहति विनष्टकल्मषः सूर्यधाम धुतचामरावलिः //

Transliteration

ityanena vidhinā samācared abdabhekamiha yastu mānavaḥ so 'dhirohati vinaṣṭakalmaṣaḥ sūryadhāma dhutacāmarāvaliḥ //

Translation

Whoever, as a human being, performs here the annual consecratory bathing (abda-abhiṣeka) according to this very procedure, with his sins destroyed, ascends to the abode of the Sun, where rows of cāmara fly-whisks are waved in honor.

Word by Word

• iti-anena: thus, by this

• vidhinā: by the prescribed rule/procedure

• samācared: should perform/observe

• abda-abhekam (abda-abhiṣekam): annual bathing/annual consecration by ablution

• iha: here (in this world/rite)

• yaḥ tu: whoever indeed

• mānavaḥ: a human person

• saḥ: he

• adhirohati: ascends, mounts, attains

• vinaṣṭa-kalmaṣaḥ: with defilements/sins destroyed

• sūrya-dhāma: the Sun’s abode (Sūryaloka)

• dhuta-cāmara-āvaliḥ: with a series/rows of cāmaras (fly-whisks) being waved (in attendance/honor).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Surya (the Sun)
• Suryadhama (Suryaloka)

Tags

• Dharma
• Vrata
• Ritual Bath
• Phala-śruti
• Punya

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a phalaśruti promising that correct performance of an annual abhiṣeka destroys sins and leads to Sūryaloka.

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

It frames a practical dharmic duty: a householder (and likewise a king) should maintain periodic ritual observances; the annual abhiṣeka is presented as a disciplined act of piety that purifies conduct and accrues merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: performing abda-abhiṣeka strictly “by this procedure” is emphasized, and the result is purification and exalted post-mortem attainment; no specific Vāstu/temple-measurement rule is stated in this verse.