Shloka 42

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

अर्जुनं त्रिपुरं चैव सिद्धेश्वरमतः परम् श्रीशैलं शांकरं तीर्थं नारसिंहमतः परम् //

Transliteration

arjunaṃ tripuraṃ caiva siddheśvaramataḥ param śrīśailaṃ śāṃkaraṃ tīrthaṃ nārasiṃhamataḥ param //

Translation

Then one should visit Arjuna and Tripura, and thereafter the supreme Siddheśvara. Next come Śrīśaila, the Śaṅkara-tīrtha—Śiva’s holy place—and thereafter the supreme Nārasiṃha-tīrtha.

Word by Word

• अर्जुनम् (arjunam): (the) Arjuna tīrtha/sacred place

• त्रिपुरम् (tripuram): Tripura (tīrtha/place-name)

• च एव (ca eva): and also

• सिद्धेश्वरम् (siddheśvaram): Siddheśvara (Lord of the Siddhas

• अतः परम् (ataḥ param): after that

• श्रीशैलम् (śrīśailam): Śrīśaila (Śrīśailam, sacred mountain)

• शांकरम् (śāṃkaram): belonging to Śaṅkara/Śiva

• तीर्थम् (tīrtham): holy ford/place of pilgrimage

• नारसिंहम् (nārasiṃham): Nārasiṃha (tīrtha/shrine of Narasimha)

• अतः परम् (ataḥ param): thereafter/next in sequence

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) conveying the Matsya Purana’s tīrtha-listing discourse (within the Matsya–Manu dialogue tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Arjuna (tirtha)
• Tripura (tirtha)
• Siddheśvara (Śiva)
• Śrīśaila
• Śaṅkara (Śiva)
• Nārasiṃha

Tags

• Tirtha
• Pilgrimage
• Sacred Geography
• Shiva
• Narasimha

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it is part of a tīrtha-mahātmya style listing that maps sacred geography and recommended pilgrimage sequence.

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

It supports the dharmic duty of tīrtha-yātrā (pilgrimage) as a meritorious practice for householders and rulers alike—cultivating devotion, purification, and patronage of major shrines (Śiva and Nārasiṃha).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architectural rules are not specified, but the verse highlights प्रमुख तीर्थs (major shrines) associated with Śiva (Siddheśvara, Śrīśaila/Śāṃkara-tīrtha) and Viṣṇu’s Narasiṃha—implying ritual visitation, worship, and offerings at established temple-centers.