Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

तीर्थानि यानि शस्तानि पितॄणां वल्लभानि च नामतस्तानि वक्ष्यामि संक्षेपेण द्विजोत्तमाः //

Transliteration

tīrthāni yāni śastāni pitṝṇāṃ vallabhāni ca nāmatastāni vakṣyāmi saṃkṣepeṇa dvijottamāḥ //

Translation

“I shall now briefly state, by name, those sacred pilgrimage-places that are commended—and that are especially dear to the Pitṛs (ancestral spirits), O best of the twice-born.”

Word by Word

• तीर्थानि: sacred fords/pilgrimage places

• यानि: which

• शस्तानि: praised/commended (by scripture and tradition)

• पितॄणाम्: of the Pitṛs/ancestors

• वल्लभानि: beloved/dear

• च: and

• नामतः: by name

• तानि: those

• वक्ष्यामि: I shall declare/I will describe

• संक्षेपेण: briefly/in summary

• द्विजोत्तमाः: O best among the twice-born (excellent Brahmins).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing sages/Brahmins (dvija-uttamas) within the discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs

Tags

• Tirtha
• Pitṛ
• Śrāddha
• Ritual Dharma
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it introduces a ritual-dharma topic—naming tīrthas considered especially effective and beloved for Pitṛ-related rites such as tarpaṇa and Śrāddha.

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

It frames the householder’s (and ruler’s) dharma of honoring ancestors: choosing scripturally praised tīrthas for offerings strengthens Pitṛ-obligations (pitṛ-ṛṇa) and supports social-religious order through proper Śrāddha observance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: the text signals an authoritative enumeration of tīrthas by name, guiding where ancestor-rites (tarpaṇa/Śrāddha) are especially recommended.