Shloka 49

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

भद्रतीर्थं च विख्यातं पम्पातीर्थं च शाश्वतम् पुण्यं रामेश्वरं तद्वद् एलापुरमलं पुरम् //

Transliteration

bhadratīrthaṃ ca vikhyātaṃ pampātīrthaṃ ca śāśvatam puṇyaṃ rāmeśvaraṃ tadvad elāpuramalaṃ puram //

Translation

Also famed are Bhadratīrtha and the eternal Pampā-tīrtha; likewise the holy Rāmeśvara, and the spotless city of Elāpura.

Word by Word

• भद्रतीर्थम् (bhadratīrtham): Bhadratīrtha, an auspicious sacred ford

• च (ca): and

• विख्यातम् (vikhyātam): renowned, well-known

• पम्पातीर्थम् (pampātīrtham): the sacred ford of Pampā

• च (ca): and

• शाश्वतम् (śāśvatam): everlasting, perennial (in sanctity)

• पुण्यम् (puṇyam): holy, merit-bestowing

• रामेश्वरम् (rāmeśvaram): Rāmeśvara (sacred place/Śiva-linga associated with Rāma)

• तद्वत् (tadvad): likewise, in the same manner

• एलापुरम् (elāpuram): Elāpura (a named city/holy place)

• अमलम् (amalam): spotless, pure

• पुरम् (puram): city, town

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within a tīrtha-listing passage)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhadratirtha
• Pampa-tirtha
• Rameshvara
• Elapura

Tags

• Tirtha
• Pilgrimage
• Sacred Geography
• Punya
• Ritual Bathing

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it functions as a tīrtha-mahātmya style catalogue, emphasizing places whose sanctity is considered enduring (śāśvata) and merit-giving (puṇya).

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

By naming merit-conferring pilgrimage sites, the verse supports the dharmic ideal that householders and rulers should periodically undertake tīrtha-yātrā, sponsor pilgrim welfare, and cultivate puṇya through sacred travel, bathing, and worship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is primary: these are tīrthas associated with purification and puṇya (especially Pampā-tīrtha and Rāmeśvara). While no explicit Vāstu rule is stated, such verses guide where temples, bathing ghāṭs, and pilgrimage infrastructure are traditionally established.