Shloka 37

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

गोकर्णं गजकर्णं च तथा च पुरुषोत्तमः द्वारका कृष्णतीर्थं च तथार्बुदसरस्वती //

Transliteration

gokarṇaṃ gajakarṇaṃ ca tathā ca puruṣottamaḥ dvārakā kṛṣṇatīrthaṃ ca tathārbudasarasvatī //

Translation

Gokarṇa, Gajakarṇa, and likewise Puruṣottama; Dvārakā, the sacred ford called Kṛṣṇa-tīrtha, and also the Sarasvatī of Arbuda—these too are renowned holy places.

Word by Word

• गोकर्णम् (gokarṇam): Gokarna (a sacred place/tirtha)

• गजकर्णम् (gajakarṇam): Gajakarna (a sacred place/tirtha)

• च (ca): and

• तथा (tathā): likewise/also

• च (ca): and

• पुरुषोत्तमः (puruṣottamaḥ): Purushottama (holy place

• द्वारका (dvārakā): Dvārakā (Krishna’s city

• कृष्णतीर्थम् (kṛṣṇatīrtham): Krishna-tirtha (a sacred bathing place associated with Krishna)

• च (ca): and

• तथा (tathā): also

• अर्बुदसरस्वती (arbuda-sarasvatī): Arbuda-Sarasvati (the Sarasvati associated with Mount Arbuda/Abu region)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Gokarna
• Gajakarna
• Purushottama
• Dvaraka
• Krishna-tirtha
• Arbuda-Sarasvati
• Krishna

Tags

• Tirtha
• Pilgrimage
• Sacred Geography
• Vishnu
• Krishna

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it enumerates celebrated tīrthas, emphasizing sacred geography rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

By highlighting tīrtha-sites, it supports the householder/kingly duty of dharmic patronage—undertaking or supporting pilgrimage, maintaining holy places, and honoring Vishnu/Krishna-associated kṣetras.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is tīrtha-bathing and pilgrimage to named sacred sites; the verse implies established shrine-culture at places like Dvārakā and Puruṣottama, though it does not give explicit Vāstu rules.