Shloka 69

Matsya Purana — Catalogue of the Eighteen Puranas

Devanagari script

तद्वदग्नेश्च माहात्म्यं तामसेषु शिवस्य च संकीर्णेषु सरस्वत्याः पितॄणां च निगद्यते //

Transliteration

tadvadagneśca māhātmyaṃ tāmaseṣu śivasya ca saṃkīrṇeṣu sarasvatyāḥ pitṝṇāṃ ca nigadyate //

Translation

Likewise, the greatness of Agni is spoken of in the Tāmasa Purāṇas; and in the mixed (Saṃkīrṇa) Purāṇas the greatness of Śiva, of Sarasvatī, and of the Pitṛs (ancestral fathers) is also described.

Word by Word

• tadvat: likewise/just so

• agneḥ: of Agni (Fire-god)

• ca: and

• māhātmyam: greatness, sacred significance

• tāmasaṣu: in the tāmasa (class/category of Purāṇas)

• śivasya: of Śiva

• ca: and

• saṃkīrṇeṣu: in the mixed/combined (saṃkīrṇa) ones

• sarasvatyāḥ: of Sarasvatī

• pitṝṇām: of the Pitṛs (ancestors)

• ca: and

• nigadyate: is stated/declared/expounded

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s didactic narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Agni
• Shiva
• Sarasvati
• Pitrs

Tags

• Purana-classification
• Agni-mahatmya
• Shiva
• Sarasvati
• Pitri-rites

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly describe pralaya; it classifies Purāṇic subject-matter, indicating where teachings such as divine “māhātmya” (sacred greatness) are typically emphasized.

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

By highlighting the Pitṛs and their praise in Saṃkīrṇa texts, it implicitly supports the householder’s duty of śrāddha and ancestral offerings—core obligations also upheld by righteous kings as patrons of dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is the prominence of Agni (central to yajña) and the Pitṛs (central to śrāddha). While not architectural, it points to the ritual framework that underlies temple and household fire-rites.