Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

पितृतीर्थं गया नाम सर्वतीर्थवरं शुभम् यत्रास्ते देवदेवेशः स्वयमेव पितामहः //

Transliteration

pitṛtīrthaṃ gayā nāma sarvatīrthavaraṃ śubham yatrāste devadeveśaḥ svayameva pitāmahaḥ //

Translation

There is a sacred ford for the ancestors called Gayā—auspicious and the श्रेष्ठ, the best among all tīrthas—where Pitāmaha (Brahmā), the Lord over the gods, dwells in person.

Word by Word

• पितृतीर्थम् (pitṛtīrtham): ancestral pilgrimage-ford/sacred place for rites to the Pitṛs

• गया (gayā): Gayā (holy place)

• नाम (nāma): by name/called

• सर्वतीर्थवरम् (sarvatīrtha-varam): the best among all sacred places

• शुभम् (śubham): auspicious, beneficent

• यत्र (yatra): where

• आस्ते (āste): resides, is present

• देवदेवेशः (devadeveśaḥ): Lord of the gods

• स्वयम् एव (svayam eva): personally, in his own presence

• पितामहः (pitāmahaḥ): the Grandfather—Brahmā.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Gayā
• Brahmā (Pitāmaha)

Tags

• Tirtha-Mahatmya
• Pitṛ-rites
• Śrāddha
• Pilgrimage
• Sacred geography

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it highlights sacred geography (tīrtha-māhātmya), declaring Gayā as the foremost place for ancestral rites and noting Brahmā’s special presence there.

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

It supports pitṛ-dharma: a householder (and a king as exemplar) should perform śrāddha and ancestral offerings at eminent tīrthas; Gayā is presented as a supreme venue for fulfilling obligations to one’s ancestors.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is primary: Gayā is identified as a pitṛ-tīrtha, implying śrāddha, piṇḍa-dāna, and tarpaṇa as key rites; the verse emphasizes the sanctity of the site through Brahmā’s direct presence rather than giving construction rules.