Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

तीर्थं ब्रह्मसरस्तद्वच् छतद्रुसलिले ह्रदे तीर्थं तु नैमिषं नाम सर्वतीर्थफलप्रदम् //

Transliteration

tīrthaṃ brahmasarastadvac chatadrusalile hrade tīrthaṃ tu naimiṣaṃ nāma sarvatīrthaphalapradam //

Translation

Brahma-saras is a sacred ford; likewise, in the waters of the Śatadru there is a sacred lake. But the tirtha known as Naimiṣa bestows the merit of all tirthas.

Word by Word

• tīrtham: sacred ford/pilgrimage place

• brahmasaras: Brahma-saras (a holy lake)

• tadvat: likewise/in the same way

• śatadru-salile: in the waters of the Śatadru (river)

• hrade: in the lake

• tu: but/indeed

• naimiṣam: Naimiṣa (Naimiṣāraṇya tirtha)

• nāma: named/called

• sarva-tīrtha-phala-pradam: bestowing the fruit (merit) of all tirthas

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Brahmasaras
• Śatadru (Sutlej)
• Naimiṣa (Naimiṣāraṇya)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Pilgrimage
• Punya
• Sacred Geography
• Naimisha

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it highlights how certain tirthas concentrate spiritual merit, especially Naimiṣa, said to grant the fruits of all pilgrimage places.

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

It supports the dharmic duty of undertaking tīrtha-yātrā (pilgrimage) for purification and merit; for kings and householders, visiting eminent tirthas like Naimiṣa is presented as an efficient means to accrue broad religious merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is tīrtha-snān (bathing) and pilgrimage at named sacred waters; Naimiṣa is singled out as a supremely efficacious ritual landscape, even without detailing Vāstu or temple construction rules.