Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — Glory of Prayaga: The Fruit of the Anashaka Fast and the Merit of the Yamuna

Devanagari script

अज्ञानेन तु यस्येह तीर्थयात्रादिकं भवेत् सर्वकामसमृद्धस्तु स्वर्गलोके महीयते स्थानं च लभते नित्यं धनधान्यसमाकुलम् //

Transliteration

ajñānena tu yasyeha tīrthayātrādikaṃ bhavet sarvakāmasamṛddhastu svargaloke mahīyate sthānaṃ ca labhate nityaṃ dhanadhānyasamākulam //

Translation

But even if, in this world, one undertakes pilgrimage to sacred fords (tīrthas) and similar pious acts unknowingly, one becomes endowed with the fulfillment of all desires; one is honored in the heavenly realm and attains an abiding station ever filled with wealth and grain.

Word by Word

• ajñānena: through ignorance / without knowing (its full import)

• tu: but

• yasya: of whom / for whom

• iha: here (in this world)

• tīrtha-yātrā-ādikam: pilgrimage to sacred places and the like (other meritorious observances)

• bhavet: happens / is performed

• sarva-kāma-samṛddhaḥ: prosperous with all desired attainments

• svarga-loke: in the world of heaven

• mahīyate: is honored / is exalted

• sthānam: a station, abode, status

• ca: and

• labhate: obtains

• nityam: always, permanently

• dhana-dhānya-samākulam: abundant with wealth and grain (material prosperity).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the teaching on tīrtha-mahātmyā as taught in the Matsya Purāṇa’s discourse tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Svarga
• Tirtha-yatra

Tags

• Tirtha
• Dharma
• Punya
• Pilgrimage
• Svarga

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on the efficacy of pilgrimage and pious acts, stating they yield heavenly honor and lasting prosperity even when done without full understanding.

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

It supports the householder/kingly ideal of sustaining dharma through tīrtha-yātrā and religious observances: even imperfect or uninformed performance generates puṇya, social stability, and prosperity (dhanadhānya), reinforcing dharmic life.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights tīrtha-yātrā and allied observances as inherently meritorious; no specific Vāstu or temple-construction rule is stated, but it underlines the Purāṇic principle that sacred acts themselves carry transformative potency.