Shloka 40

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

यत्र शार्ङ्गधरो विष्णुर् मेखलायामवस्थितः तथा मन्दोदरीतीर्थं तीर्थं चम्पा नदी शुभा //

Transliteration

yatra śārṅgadharo viṣṇur mekhalāyāmavasthitaḥ tathā mandodarītīrthaṃ tīrthaṃ campā nadī śubhā //

Translation

There, Viṣṇu—the bearer of the Śārṅga bow—abides at Mekhalā. There too are the sacred ford called Mandodarī-tīrtha and the auspicious Campā River, a revered place of pilgrimage.

Word by Word

yatrawhere/there

śārṅga-dharaḥbearer of the Śārṅga (bow)

viṣṇuḥLord Vishnu

mekhalāyāmin/at Mekhalā

avasthitaḥabiding/dwelling

tathālikewise/also

mandodarī-tīrthamthe pilgrimage-ford named Mandodarī

tīrthamsacred ford/holy site

campā(the) Campā (river)

nadīriver

śubhāauspicious/holy

Speaker

Suta (narrator) reporting the Matsya Purana’s tirtha description (dialogue context traditionally framed within Matsya’s instruction to Manu)

Entities Mentioned

Vishnu (Śārṅgadhara)MekhalāMandodarī-tīrthaCampā River

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it functions as tirtha-mahātmya, identifying holy locations where Vishnu is worshipped and where sacred rivers/ford-sites confer religious merit.

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

It supports the dharma of pilgrimage and sacred observance: a householder (and a king as patron of dharma) is encouraged to honor Vishnu, visit tīrthas, and protect/maintain holy sites and riverbanks as part of righteous governance and personal religious discipline.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it marks a Vishnu-sthāna and named tīrtha suitable for bathing, offerings, and worship; architecturally, it implies a recognized Vishnu sacred seat (kṣetra) where temple worship and tirtha-associated rites are traditionally established.