Shloka 60

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

निहत्य नमुचिं शक्रस् तपसा स्वर्गमाप्तवान् तत्र दत्तं नरैः श्राद्धम् अनन्तफलदं भवेत् //

Transliteration

nihatya namuciṃ śakras tapasā svargamāptavān tatra dattaṃ naraiḥ śrāddham anantaphaladaṃ bhavet //

Translation

Having slain Namuci, Śakra (Indra) attained heaven through austerity; any śrāddha offered there by men becomes a giver of endless merit.

Word by Word

• निहत्य (nihatya): having slain

• नमुचिं (namuciṃ): Namuci (an asura/demon)

• शक्रः (śakraḥ): Śakra, Indra

• तपसा (tapasā): by austerity, penance

• स्वर्गम् (svargam): heaven

• आप्तवान् (āptavān): attained, obtained

• तत्र (tatra): there, in that place

• दत्तम् (dattam): given, offered

• नरैः (naraiḥ): by men, by human beings

• श्राद्धम् (śrāddham): śrāddha (ancestral offering/rite)

• अनन्त-फल-दम् (ananta-phala-dam): bestowing infinite fruit/merit

• भवेत् (bhavet): becomes, would be.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, describing śrāddha-phala connected to Indra’s heaven-attainment narrative)

Entities Mentioned

• Śakra (Indra)
• Namuci
• Svarga
• Śrāddha

Tags

• Shraddha
• Pitri-Rites
• Tirtha-Mahatmya
• Dharma
• Merit (Phala)

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it emphasizes the dharmic principle that certain sacred locales (linked to divine acts and tapas) amplify the merit of śrāddha.

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

It supports the householder’s duty of pitṛ-kārya (ancestral rites): performing śrāddha—especially at sanctified places—yields great, even “endless,” merit, reinforcing regular observance of family and social dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is tīrtha-based śrāddha: offering śrāddha at a place made sacred by Indra’s austerity and attainment of heaven is said to produce boundless fruit.