Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

यत्रास्ते नारसिंहस्तु स्वयमेव जनार्दनः तीर्थमिक्षुमती नाम पितॄणां वल्लभं सदा //

Transliteration

yatrāste nārasiṃhastu svayameva janārdanaḥ tīrthamikṣumatī nāma pitṝṇāṃ vallabhaṃ sadā //

Translation

Where Nārasiṃha—Janārdana Himself—abides, there is a tīrtha called Ikṣumatī, ever beloved of the Pitṛs, the ancestral spirits.

Word by Word

• yatra: where

• āste: abides/dwells

• nārasiṃhaḥ: Narasimha (Man-Lion form)

• tu: indeed

• svayam eva: Himself alone/in person

• janārdanaḥ: Janardana (Vishnu, remover of afflictions)

• tīrtham: sacred ford/pilgrimage place

• ikṣumatī: Ikṣumatī (name of the tirtha/river-associated site)

• nāma: by name/called

• pitṝṇām: of the Pitrs/ancestors

• vallabham: beloved/dear

• sadā: always/ever.

Speaker

• Suta (Purana narrator) describing a tirtha’s greatness within the Matsya Purana’s pilgrimage discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Narasimha
• Janardana
• Ikshumati Tirtha
• Pitrs (ancestors)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Narasimha
• Pitru-karma
• Pilgrimage
• Sacred Geography

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it functions as tirtha-mahātmya, highlighting a sacred place made potent by the presence of Narasimha (Vishnu).

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

By calling the place “beloved of the Pitṛs,” it implies suitability for ancestral rites (śrāddha/tarpaṇa). A householder’s dharma includes honoring ancestors, and a king supports such dharma by protecting and patronizing tirthas.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, the key point is Pitṛ-priya tirtha—an auspicious site for offerings to ancestors. Architecturally, it indirectly signals a Narasimha-kshetra (a Vishnu/Narasimha sacred precinct) around which temples and pilgrimage infrastructure are traditionally established.