Shloka 26

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

स्मरणादपि लोकानां किम् उ श्राद्धकृतां नृणाम् ओंकारं पितृतीर्थं च कावेरी कपिलोदकम् //

Transliteration

smaraṇādapi lokānāṃ kim u śrāddhakṛtāṃ nṛṇām oṃkāraṃ pitṛtīrthaṃ ca kāverī kapilodakam //

Translation

If mere remembrance (smaraṇa) itself brings benefit to people, then what need be said of men who actually perform śrāddha? Such merit is especially connected with Oṁkāra, the sacred Pitṛ-tīrtha, the river Kāverī, and Kapilā’s holy waters.

Word by Word

• स्मरणात् (smaraṇāt): from remembrance, by recollection

• अपि (api): even

• लोकानाम् (lokānām): of people, of beings

• किम् उ (kim u): how much more, what then to say

• श्राद्धकृताम् (śrāddha-kṛtām): of those who perform śrāddha (ancestral rite)

• नृणाम् (nṛṇām): of men

• ओंकारम् (oṁkāram): Oṁkāra, the syllable Oṁ (a sacred place/name associated with Oṁ)

• पितृतीर्थम् (pitṛ-tīrtham): the ancestral sacred ford/pilgrimage spot

• च (ca): and

• कावेरी (kāverī): the Kāverī river

• कपिलोदकम् (kapilodakam): Kapilā-udaka, the water of Kapilā (a sanctified water-source/river associated with the name Kapilā).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching on tīrthas and śrāddha merit, within the broader Manu–Matsya discourse tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Oṁkāra
• Pitṛ-tīrtha
• Kāverī
• Kapilā (Kapilodaka)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Shraddha
• Pitrs
• Ritual
• Merit

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it emphasizes ritual merit and sacred geography—especially the power of remembrance and the heightened fruit of performing śrāddha at revered tīrthas.

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

It supports the gṛhastha duty of honoring ancestors through śrāddha and tarpaṇa, teaching that intentional remembrance is meritorious, and that properly performed rites (especially at tīrthas) yield even greater spiritual benefit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is central: śrāddha and pitṛ-related rites gain special potency when connected with named tīrthas—Oṁkāra, Pitṛ-tīrtha, the Kāverī, and Kapilodaka—highlighting pilgrimage-site selection for ancestral ceremonies.