Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

यः प्रयाति स पूतात्मा नारायणपदं व्रजेत् कृतशौचं महापुण्यं सर्वपापनिषूदनम् //

Transliteration

yaḥ prayāti sa pūtātmā nārāyaṇapadaṃ vrajet kṛtaśaucaṃ mahāpuṇyaṃ sarvapāpaniṣūdanam //

Translation

Whoever departs thus becomes pure in spirit and goes to the abode of Nārāyaṇa; having performed the proper purifications, one gains great merit and destroys all sins.

Word by Word

• yaḥ: whoever

• prayāti: departs, passes away

• saḥ: he

• pūta-ātmā: purified-souled, pure in spirit

• nārāyaṇa-padam: the state/abode of Nārāyaṇa (Vishnu)

• vrajet: goes, attains

• kṛta-śaucam: having done śauca (purificatory cleanliness/rites)

• mahā-puṇyam: of great merit, supremely auspicious

• sarva-pāpa-niṣūdanam: destroying all sins

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue framework)

Entities Mentioned

• Nārāyaṇa

Tags

• Dharma
• Śauca
• Puṇya
• Mokṣa
• Vishnu

FAQs

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

This verse is not describing Pralaya directly; it emphasizes personal purification (śauca) and the soul’s post-death destiny—attainment of Nārāyaṇa’s abode—rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It frames śauca (cleanliness and purificatory observances) as a core dharmic duty: a householder—and by extension a king who models dharma—should uphold purity in conduct and rites, which is said to yield great merit and remove sin.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is śauca: the completion of purificatory cleanliness/rites is presented as spiritually efficacious, leading to great puṇya and the eradication of sin; there is no explicit Vāstu or temple-architecture rule in this verse.