Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

तथा च सरयूः पुण्या सर्वदेवनमस्कृता इरावती नदी तद्वत् पितृतीर्थाधिवासिनी //

Transliteration

tathā ca sarayūḥ puṇyā sarvadevanamaskṛtā irāvatī nadī tadvat pitṛtīrthādhivāsinī //

Translation

Likewise, the Sarayū is holy and revered by all the gods; and so too is the river Irāvatī, as though abiding in the sacred ford (tīrtha) dedicated to the Pitṛs, the ancestral spirits.

Word by Word

• tathā ca: likewise, and also

• sarayūḥ: the (river) Sarayū

• puṇyā: holy, meritorious

• sarva-deva-namaskṛtā: venerated (saluted) by all the gods

• irāvatī: (the river) Irāvatī

• nadī: river

• tadvat: in the same way, likewise

• pitṛ-tīrtha: the ancestral sacred ford/pilgrimage place (Pitṛ-tīrtha)

• adhivāsinī: residing in, inhabiting, abiding (as presiding over/associated with).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in dialogue instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a tirtha-mahात्म्यa listing)

Entities Mentioned

• Sarayu
• Iravati
• Sarvadevas (all gods)
• Pitrs (ancestral spirits)
• Pitr-tirtha

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Rivers
• Pitru Rituals
• Pilgrimage
• Punya

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a tirtha-mahātmya context, emphasizing the sanctity of rivers and their power to confer merit through association with divine and ancestral sacred sites.

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

It supports the householder duty of honoring gods and ancestors: visiting holy rivers and performing Pitṛ-related rites (such as śrāddha and tarpaṇa) at Pitṛ-tīrthas is presented as especially meritorious.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is primary: Sarayū and Irāvatī are highlighted as fit for worship and ancestral offerings, implying these riverbanks and fords are ideal locations for snāna (ritual bathing), tarpaṇa, and śrāddha observances.