Shloka 31

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

तीर्थं वैनायकं नाम भद्रेश्वरमतः परम् तथा पापहरं नाम पुण्याथ तपती नदी //

Transliteration

tīrthaṃ vaināyakaṃ nāma bhadreśvaramataḥ param tathā pāpaharaṃ nāma puṇyātha tapatī nadī //

Translation

There is a sacred ford known as Vaināyaka; beyond it lies (the holy place of) Bhadreśvara. Likewise, there is a tīrtha called Pāpahara; and the Tapati River too is holy and merit-bestowing.

Word by Word

• tīrtham: sacred ford/pilgrimage place

• vaināyakam: named Vaināyaka (connected with Vināyaka/Gaṇeśa)

• nāma: by name

• bhadreśvaram: (the shrine/place of) Bhadreśvara ‘Auspicious Lord’ (Śiva)

• ataḥ param: beyond this/thereafter

• tathā: likewise

• pāpaharam: ‘sin-removing’ (a tīrtha)

• nāma: named

• puṇyā: holy/merit-giving

• atha: and/also

• tapatī: Tapati (river)

• nadī: river

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Vaināyaka Tīrtha
• Bhadreśvara
• Pāpahara Tīrtha
• Tapati River

Tags

• Tirtha
• Pilgrimage
• Sacred Geography
• Sin-removal
• River Worship

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a tīrtha-māhātmya passage listing holy places and a sacred river whose visitation is said to remove sin and generate merit.

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

It supports the dharma-duty of undertaking tīrtha-yātrā (pilgrimage), a recommended practice for householders and rulers alike for purification, merit (puṇya), and public religio-cultural patronage.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights tīrtha-sevā—bathing, worship, and offerings at named sacred sites (including a Vināyaka-associated tīrtha and a Bhadreśvara/Śiva shrine), indicating established cult-centers rather than giving specific Vastu rules.