Shloka 30

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

गोमती वरणा तद्वत् तीर्थमौशनसं परम् भैरवं भृगुतुङ्गं च गौरीतीर्थमनुत्तमम् //

Transliteration

gomatī varaṇā tadvat tīrthamauśanasaṃ param bhairavaṃ bhṛgutuṅgaṃ ca gaurītīrthamanuttamam //

Translation

Likewise (there are the sacred fords) the Gomati and the Varana, and the supreme Auśanasa Tīrtha; also Bhairava, Bhṛgutunga, and the unsurpassed Gaurī Tīrtha.

Word by Word

• गोमती (gomatī): the Gomati river/tirtha

• वरणा (varaṇā): the Varana river/tirtha

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

• तीर्थम् (tīrtham): sacred ford, pilgrimage place

• औशनसम् (auśanasam): belonging to Uśanas (Śukra), associated with the sage/teacher

• परम् (param): supreme, excellent

• भैरवम् (bhairavam): Bhairava (a form of Śiva) / the Bhairava tirtha

• भृगुतुङ्गम् (bhṛgutuṅgam): Bhṛgu-tunga (Bhṛgu’s peak/hill), a pilgrimage site

• च (ca): and

• गौरीतीर्थम् (gaurī-tīrtham): Gaurī’s tirtha (associated with Pārvatī)

• अनुत्तमम् (anuttamam): unsurpassed, incomparable.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Gomati
• Varana
• Auśanasa (Uśanas/Śukra)
• Bhairava
• Bhṛgu
• Gaurī (Pārvatī)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Pilgrimage
• Sacred Rivers
• Shaiva-Shakta Sites
• Matsya Purana Geography

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it belongs to a tīrtha-listing context, emphasizing sacred geography and the merit of visiting specific pilgrimage sites.

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

By cataloguing renowned tīrthas, it supports the householder/kingly duty of dharmic pilgrimage—undertaken for purification, merit (puṇya), and the maintenance of religious order through patronage and observance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is tīrtha-yātrā and tīrtha-snāna (pilgrimage and sacred bathing). The named sites also imply established shrines linked to Bhairava (Śaiva) and Gaurī (Śākta), guiding devotees toward specific deity-centered worship locations.