Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī, Shloka 35

Devanagari script

उपास्य संध्यां विधिवत् कृत्वा च पितृतर्पणम् प्रणम्य च हृषीकेशं सप्तलोकैकमीश्वरम् //

Transliteration

upāsya saṃdhyāṃ vidhivat kṛtvā ca pitṛtarpaṇam praṇamya ca hṛṣīkeśaṃ saptalokaikamīśvaram //

Translation

വിധിപൂർവ്വം സന്ധ്യോപാസന നടത്തി, പിതൃതർപ്പണവും നിർവഹിച്ചു, ഏഴുലോകങ്ങളുടെ ഏകാധിപനായ ഹൃഷീകേശനെ നമസ്കരിക്കണം।

Word by Word

• upāsya: having worshipped/served

• sandhyām: the Sandhyā (twilight prayer rite)

• vidhivat: according to rule/ritual injunction

• kṛtvā: having done/performed

• ca: and

• pitṛ-tarpaṇam: the act of satisfying the ancestors by water-libations

• praṇamya: having bowed/prostrated

• ca: and

• hṛṣīkeśam: Hṛṣīkeśa (Vishnu/Krishna, Lord of the senses)

• sapta-loka: the seven worlds

• ekam: the one

• īśvaram: Lord/Sovereign

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purāṇa’s dharma/ritual instructions, ultimately rooted in Matsya’s teaching to Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Hṛṣīkeśa
• Sapta-loka
• Sandhyā
• Pitṛs (ancestors)

Tags

• Sandhyavandana
• Pitṛ-tarpaṇa
• Nitya-karma
• Vishnu-bhakti
• Householder Dharma

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it affirms Vishnu (Hṛṣīkeśa) as the one Lord over the seven worlds, implying cosmic sovereignty that endures beyond cyclical changes.

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

It outlines nitya-karma: perform Sandhyā according to injunction and offer pitṛ-tarpaṇa, then conclude with devotion and surrender to Vishnu—presented as a universal duty for disciplined householders and rulers alike.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual (not architectural): it prescribes the proper sequence—Sandhyā rite, ancestor libations, and final obeisance to Hṛṣīkeśa—highlighting orderly procedure (vidhivat) as the essence of orthodox practice.