Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī, Shloka 55

Devanagari script

इतिहासपुराणानि वाचयित्वातिवाहयेत् तद्दिनं नरशार्दूल य इच्छेद्विपुलां श्रियम् //

Transliteration

itihāsapurāṇāni vācayitvātivāhayet taddinaṃ naraśārdūla ya icchedvipulāṃ śriyam //

Translation

Ô tigre parmi les hommes, celui qui désire une prospérité abondante doit passer ce jour-là en faisant réciter (ou en récitant) les Itihāsas et les Purāṇas, et laisser ainsi le temps s’écouler dans leur écoute.

Word by Word

• इतिहासपुराणानि (itihāsa-purāṇāni): the Itihāsas and Purāṇas

• वाचयित्वा (vācayitvā): having caused to be recited / having recited

• अतिवाहयेत् (ativāhayet): should pass (the time), should spend

• तत्-दिनम् (tad-dinam): that day

• नरशार्दूल (naraśārdūla): O tiger among men (noble one)

• यः (yaḥ): whoever

• इच्छेत् (icchet): desires, wishes

• विपुलाम् (vipulām): great, abundant

• श्रियम् (śriyam): prosperity, fortune, auspicious success

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Itihasa
• Purana
• Shri (prosperity)

Tags

• Dharma
• Shravana
• Purana-Patha
• Prosperity
• Householder-Duties

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya directly; it emphasizes dharmic practice—spending one’s time in hearing/reciting Itihāsa-Purāṇa—as a means to gain auspicious prosperity.

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

It frames a practical duty of disciplined time-use: a king or householder seeking śrī (prosperity and auspicious success) should dedicate the day to sacred recitation/hearing, aligning governance and domestic life with dharma through scriptural listening.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is śravaṇa/pāṭha—organizing recitation of Itihāsas and Purāṇas as a merit-producing observance.