Matsya Purana — Ritual Bathing, Shloka 1

Devanagari script

*नन्दिकेश्वर उवाच नैर्मल्यं भावशुद्धिश्च विना स्नानं न विद्यते तस्मान्मनोविशुद्ध्यर्थं स्नानमादौ विधीयते //

Transliteration

*nandikeśvara uvāca nairmalyaṃ bhāvaśuddhiśca vinā snānaṃ na vidyate tasmānmanoviśuddhyarthaṃ snānamādau vidhīyate //

Translation

难提迦湿伐罗说：若不沐浴，既不得清洁，亦不得心性之净。故为净化其心，先当规定沐浴为初行之仪。

Word by Word

• नन्दिकेश्वर (Nandikeśvara): Nandikeśvara

• उवाच (uvāca): said

• नैर्मल्यं (nairmalyaṁ): cleanliness, freedom from impurity

• भावशुद्धिः (bhāva-śuddhiḥ): purity of inner disposition/intent

• च (ca): and

• विना (vinā): without

• स्नानं (snānaṁ): bathing, ritual bath

• न (na): not

• विद्यते (vidyate): is found/exists, is obtained

• तस्मात् (tasmāt): therefore

• मनोविशुद्ध्यर्थं (mano-viśuddhi-arthaṁ): for the purpose of mental purification

• स्नानम् (snānam): bathing

• आदौ (ādau): at the beginning/first

• विधीयते (vidhīyate): is enjoined, is prescribed.

Speaker

• Nandikeśvara

Entities Mentioned

• Nandikeśvara
• Snāna (ritual bathing)

Tags

• Snana
• Ritual Purity
• Mano-Shuddhi
• Dharma
• Vrata

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it teaches ritual and psychological purification, stating that bathing is the first step toward inner (mental) purity.

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

It frames cleanliness and right inner intent as prerequisites for dharmic action; a householder (and by extension a king overseeing public order) should begin worship, vows, and daily duties with snāna to cultivate disciplined conduct and a purified mind.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it establishes snāna as the preliminary rite before worship, vows, donations, or temple service—supporting the broader Matsya Purana emphasis on correct procedure (vidhi) as the foundation of effective religious practice.