Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

तथा मित्रपदं नाम ततः केदारमुत्तमम् गङ्गासागरमित्याहुः सर्वतीर्थमयं शुभम् //

Transliteration

tathā mitrapadaṃ nāma tataḥ kedāramuttamam gaṅgāsāgaramityāhuḥ sarvatīrthamayaṃ śubham //

Translation

Likewise there is a sacred place called Mitrapada; from there one reaches the excellent Kedāra. They call it Gaṅgā-sāgara—an auspicious confluence embodying the merit of all pilgrimage-sites.

Word by Word

• तथा (tathā): likewise/also

• मित्रपदं (mitrapadaṃ): Mitrapada (name of a holy place)

• नाम (nāma): called/known as

• ततः (tataḥ): from there/thereafter

• केदारम् (kedāram): Kedāra (Kedarnath

• उत्तमम् (uttamam): excellent/supreme

• गङ्गासागरम् (gaṅgāsāgaram): Gaṅgā-sāgara (Ganga–ocean confluence, traditionally at Sāgara-saṅgama)

• इति (iti): thus

• आहुः (āhuḥ): they say/they call

• सर्वतीर्थमयम् (sarvatīrthamayam): containing/embodying all tirthas

• शुभम् (śubham): auspicious/beneficial

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s tirtha-glorification section)

Entities Mentioned

• Mitrapada
• Kedara
• Ganga-sagara

Tags

• Tirtha
• Pilgrimage
• Sacred Geography
• Ganga
• Shiva-Kshetra

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; instead, it frames certain tirthas—especially Gaṅgā-sāgara—as universally auspicious, suggesting a Puranic idea that sacred waters and confluences preserve spiritual merit across changing ages.

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

It supports the dharma of pilgrimage and ritual bathing (tīrtha-yātrā, snāna) as a recommended practice for householders and rulers alike, who are urged in Purāṇic ethics to seek purification and public welfare through maintaining and honoring holy sites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is the exceptional sanctity of Gaṅgā-sāgara as a “sarva-tīrtha” locus—implying high merit for snāna (sacred bath) and related rites; Kedāra is also indicated as a major shrine-tirtha destination within the pilgrimage network.