Shloka 58

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

तत्तीर्थं हव्यकव्यानाम् अप्सरोयुगसंज्ञितम् श्राद्धाग्निकार्यदानेषु तथा कोटिशताधिकम् //

Transliteration

tattīrthaṃ havyakavyānām apsaroyugasaṃjñitam śrāddhāgnikāryadāneṣu tathā koṭiśatādhikam //

Translation

That sacred ford, renowned as “Apsaro‑yuga”, is supremely efficacious for havyakavya offerings meant for the gods and the ancestors; and in rites such as śrāddha, the duties of the fire-ritual (agni-kārya), and charitable giving, it bestows merit exceeding even hundreds of koṭis.

Word by Word

tat-tīrthamthat sacred tirtha/holy ford

havya-kavyānāmof havya and kavya (offerings to gods and ancestors)

apsarā-yuga-saṃjñitamknown by the name ‘Apsaro-yuga’

śrāddhaancestral rite/śrāddha ceremony

agni-kāryaacts connected with sacred fire (homa/ritual duties)

dāneṣuin gifts/charitable donations

tathālikewise/also

koṭi-śata-adhikammore than hundreds of crores (immensely exceeding measure).

Speaker

Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s tirtha-mahātmya tradition)

Entities Mentioned

Tīrtha (Apsaro-yuga)HavyaKavyaŚrāddhaAgni (ritual fire)Dāna

FAQs

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

It does not discuss pralaya directly; instead, it highlights the extraordinary karmic fruit (puṇya) obtained by performing offerings and rites at a specific tīrtha.

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

It reinforces key gṛhastha-dharma practices—feeding gods and ancestors (havya-kavya), performing śrāddha and fire-rites, and giving dāna—stating that doing them at a renowned tīrtha multiplies merit immensely.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual: the tīrtha called Apsaro‑yuga is praised as exceptionally potent for śrāddha, agni-related rites (homa/maintaining sacred fire duties), and charity, indicating a pilgrimage-based enhancement of ritual efficacy.