Shloka 61

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

तीर्थं तु पुष्करं नाम शालग्रामं तथैव च सोमपानं च विख्यातं यत्र वैश्वानरालयम् //

Transliteration

tīrthaṃ tu puṣkaraṃ nāma śālagrāmaṃ tathaiva ca somapānaṃ ca vikhyātaṃ yatra vaiśvānarālayam //

Translation

There is the sacred ford named Puṣkara, and likewise Śālagrāma; and the renowned tīrtha called Somapāna, where stands the abode (temple) of Vaiśvānara.

Word by Word

• तीर्थम् (tīrtham): sacred ford, pilgrimage place

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• पुष्करम् (puṣkaram): Pushkara (holy tīrtha)

• नाम (nāma): named/called

• शालग्रामम् (śālagrāmam): Shalagrama (sacred place/stone associated with Viṣṇu)

• तथा एव (tathaiva): likewise/also

• च (ca): and

• सोमपानम् (somapānam): Somapāna (a tīrtha name

• विख्यातम् (vikhyātam): famous, renowned

• यत्र (yatra): where

• वैश्वानर-आलयम् (vaiśvānara-ālayam): the abode/temple of Vaiśvānara (Agni as the universal fire)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, describing tīrthas)

Entities Mentioned

• Puṣkara
• Śālagrāma
• Somapāna
• Vaiśvānara

Tags

• Tirtha
• Pilgrimage
• Sacred Geography
• Agni
• Vaishnava Symbols

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it catalogs revered tīrthas, emphasizing sacred geography rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

By highlighting renowned pilgrimage sites, it supports the Purāṇic ideal that householders and rulers should uphold dharma through tīrtha-yātrā, patronage of holy places, and reverence to established shrines.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It points to a specific shrine—“Vaiśvānara’s abode”—implying an established temple or sacred fire-cult locus at the tīrtha, linking pilgrimage with ritual worship of Vaiśvānara (Agni).