Shloka 23

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

पूर्वमित्रपदं तद्वद् वैद्यनाथं महाफलम् क्षिप्रा नदी महाकालस् तथा कालञ्जरं शुभम् //

Transliteration

pūrvamitrapadaṃ tadvad vaidyanāthaṃ mahāphalam kṣiprā nadī mahākālas tathā kālañjaraṃ śubham //

Translation

Likewise, Pūrvamitra-pada is declared highly rewarding; so too is Vaidyanātha, bestowing great merit. Also praised are the river Kṣiprā, Mahākāla, and the auspicious Kālañjara.

Word by Word

• पूर्वमित्रपदम् (pūrvamitrapadam): the sacred place called Pūrvamitra-pada

• तद्वत् (tadvat): likewise, in the same manner

• वैद्यनाथम् (vaidyanātham): Vaidyanātha (a famed Śiva shrine/Jyotirliṅga site)

• महाफलम् (mahāphalam): of great fruit, yielding great spiritual merit

• क्षिप्रा (kṣiprā): the Kṣiprā river

• नदी (nadī): river

• महाकालः (mahākālaḥ): Mahākāla (Śiva as the Great Time

• तथा (tathā): and also

• कालञ्जरम् (kālañjaram): Kālañjara (holy mountain/fort and pilgrimage site)

• शुभम् (śubham): auspicious, holy

Speaker

• Suta Goswami (narrating sacred places and their merits)

Entities Mentioned

• Vaidyanatha
• Kshipra River
• Mahakala
• Kalanjara

Tags

• Tirtha
• Shiva
• Jyotirlinga
• Sacred Rivers
• Pilgrimage Merit

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on tirtha-mahātmya—naming holy sites and indicating that visiting or honoring them yields great spiritual merit.

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

It supports the Purāṇic duty of undertaking tirtha-yātrā, honoring rivers and Śiva-kṣetras, and accumulating puṇya through disciplined pilgrimage—an accepted practice for householders and rulers alike.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights Śiva-kṣetras (Vaidyanātha, Mahākāla) and a sacred river (Kṣiprā) as potent loci for worship, bathing, and offerings; architecturally, it implies the sanctity of established shrines/temple-sites associated with these names.