Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

दशाश्वमेधिकं पुण्यं गङ्गाद्वारं तथैव च नन्दाथ ललिता तद्वत् तीर्थं मायापुरी शुभा //

Transliteration

daśāśvamedhikaṃ puṇyaṃ gaṅgādvāraṃ tathaiva ca nandātha lalitā tadvat tīrthaṃ māyāpurī śubhā //

Translation

Daśāśvamedhika is a meritorious tirtha; so too is Gaṅgādvāra. Likewise, the tirthas Nandā and Lalitā are of the same kind; and the auspicious tirtha called Māyāpurī is also highly sacred.

Word by Word

• daśāśvamedhikam: (the tirtha named) Daśāśvamedhika

• puṇyam: meritorious, holy

• gaṅgādvāram: Gaṅgādvāra (the ‘gateway of the Ganges’, Haridwar region)

• tathā eva ca: and likewise/also

• nandā: (the tirtha named) Nandā

• atha: then/also

• lalitā: (the tirtha named) Lalitā

• tadvat: similarly, in the same manner (equally meritorious)

• tīrtham: sacred ford/place of pilgrimage

• māyāpurī: Māyāpurī (a sacred city/tirtha)

• śubhā: auspicious, благотворная (holy).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, continuing a tirtha-listing narrative)

Entities Mentioned

• Daśāśvamedhika
• Gaṅgādvāra
• Nandā
• Lalitā
• Māyāpurī

Tags

• Tirtha
• Pilgrimage
• Punya
• Sacred Geography
• Ritual Merit

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it focuses on tirtha-mahātmyas—naming specific sacred sites whose visitation is said to generate puṇya (religious merit).

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

By highlighting recognized tirthas and their merit, the verse supports the householder/kingly duty of dharmic patronage and personal observance—undertaking pilgrimages, supporting sacred places, and cultivating puṇya through sanctioned religious practices.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is primary: these named locations are presented as tīrthas where acts like pilgrimage and sacred bathing are traditionally understood to yield spiritual merit; no specific Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated in this verse.