Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

गङ्गोद्भेदस्तु गोमत्यां यत्रोद्भूतः सनातनः तथा यज्ञवराहस्तु देवदेवश्च शूलभृत् //

Transliteration

gaṅgodbhedastu gomatyāṃ yatrodbhūtaḥ sanātanaḥ tathā yajñavarāhastu devadevaśca śūlabhṛt //

Translation

At Gomati is the eternal place where the Gaṅgā bursts forth in manifestation. There too is the shrine of Yajña-Varāha, and also the God of gods, the trident-bearer (Śiva).

Word by Word

• गङ्गा (gaṅgā): the river Ganga

• उद्भेदः (udbhedaḥ): bursting forth, emergence, springing up

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• गोमत्याम् (gomatyām): at/in Gomati (the Gomati river region/tirtha)

• यत्र (yatra): where

• उद्भूतः (udbhūtaḥ): arisen, manifested

• सनातनः (sanātanaḥ): eternal, primeval

• तथा (tathā): likewise/also

• यज्ञवराहः (yajña-varāhaḥ): Varāha as the sacrificial (Yajña) form (Vishnu’s boar-incarnation associated with cosmic sacrifice)

• देवदेवः (deva-devaḥ): God of gods

• च (ca): and

• शूलभृत् (śūlabhṛt): trident-bearer (epithet of Śiva).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, describing tirthas and sacred manifestations)

Entities Mentioned

• Ganga
• Gomati
• Yajña-Varāha
• Shiva (Śūlabhṛt)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Geography
• Ganga
• Varaha
• Shiva

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it emphasizes sacred geography by identifying an “eternal” manifestation-point of the Ganga and associated deities, reflecting the Purāṇic view that certain tirthas remain spiritually potent across cosmic cycles.

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

By highlighting tirthas and deities, it supports the householder/kingly duty of honoring pilgrimage, patronizing temples, and maintaining sacred sites—acts considered merit-producing (puṇya) and socially stabilizing in Purāṇic dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it points to a tirtha where Ganga is believed to “emerge,” suitable for bathing, offerings, and deity worship; architecturally, it implies established shrines (Yajña-Varāha and Śiva) that would be prime candidates for temple patronage and careful siting near a holy water-source.