Shloka 55

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

तीर्थं पाशुपतं नाम नदी पार्वतिका शुभा श्राद्धमेतेषु सर्वेषु दत्तं कोटिशतोत्तरम् //

Transliteration

tīrthaṃ pāśupataṃ nāma nadī pārvatikā śubhā śrāddhameteṣu sarveṣu dattaṃ koṭiśatottaram //

Translation

There is a sacred ford (tīrtha) called Pāśupata, and the auspicious river Pārvatikā. A śrāddha offering made at all these holy places is said to yield merit exceeding a hundred koṭis.

Word by Word

• तीर्थम् (tīrtham): sacred ford/pilgrimage place

• पाशुपतम् (pāśupatam): relating to Paśupati (Śiva), named Pāśupata

• नाम (nāma): by name/called

• नदी (nadī): river

• पार्वतिका (pārvatikā): Pārvatikā (name of the river)

• शुभा (śubhā): auspicious/beneficent

• श्राद्धम् (śrāddham): ancestral rite/food-offering to Pitṛs

• एतेषु (eteṣu): among these/in these (places)

• सर्वेषु (sarveṣu): in all

• दत्तम् (dattam): given/offered

• कोटि-शत-उत्तरम् (koṭi-śata-uttaram): exceeding a hundred crores (i.e., extraordinarily multiplied merit)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, describing tirthas and the merit of rites)

Entities Mentioned

• Paśupati (Śiva)
• Pāśupata Tīrtha
• Pārvatikā River
• Pitṛs (ancestors)

Tags

• Tirtha-Mahatmya
• Shraddha
• Pilgrimage
• Shaiva Tirtha
• Ritual Merit

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on tīrtha-mahātmya—how sacred places amplify the merit of śrāddha offerings.

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

It reinforces the gṛhastha duty of performing śrāddha for ancestors; for kings as well, supporting and visiting tīrthas and enabling śrāddha is presented as a high-merit dharmic act.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is central: performing śrāddha at specific tīrthas (like the Pāśupata tīrtha and the Pārvatikā river) is said to multiply the fruit immensely, indicating the Matsya Purana’s emphasis on place-based ritual efficacy.