Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī, Shloka 21

Devanagari script

माघमासस्य दशमी यदा शुक्ला भवेत्तदा घृतेनाभ्यञ्जनं कृत्वा तिलैः स्नानं समाचरेत् //

Transliteration

māghamāsasya daśamī yadā śuklā bhavettadā ghṛtenābhyañjanaṃ kṛtvā tilaiḥ snānaṃ samācaret //

Translation

Pada bulan Māgha, apabila tithi kesepuluh jatuh pada paruh terang (Śukla pakṣa), maka hendaklah seseorang menyapu tubuh dengan ghee dan melaksanakan mandi suci dengan persediaan biji wijen (tila) menurut tatacara yang wajar.

Word by Word

• māgha-māsasya: of the month of Māgha

• daśamī: the tenth lunar day (tithi)

• yadā: when

• śuklā: the bright fortnight (Śukla-pakṣa)

• bhavet: occurs/is

• tadā: then

• ghṛtena: with ghee (clarified butter)

• abhyañjanam: oiling/anointing of the body

• kṛtvā: having done

• tilaiḥ: with sesame (seeds/paste/water infused with sesame)

• snānam: bathing/ritual bath

• samācaret: should properly perform/observe

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Māgha
• Daśamī
• Śukla-pakṣa
• Ghṛta
• Tila
• Snāna

Tags

• Vrata
• Māgha Snāna
• Ritual Bathing
• Dharma
• Tithi

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it prescribes a Māgha-month ritual observance (vrata) focused on purity through abhyanga (anointing) and snāna (bathing) on Śukla Daśamī.

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

It frames dharma as disciplined daily/seasonal conduct: a householder (and likewise a king as moral exemplar) should observe calendrical rites—here, a specific tithi-based bath—supporting personal purity and public religious order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritual significance: on Māgha Śukla Daśamī, one performs ghṛta-abhyanga (ghee anointing) followed by tila-snāna (sesame bath), a purification rite commonly linked with merit (puṇya) in Purāṇic vrata practice.