Shloka 66

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

संसारमोचनं तीर्थं तथैव ऋणमोचनम् एतेषु पितृतीर्थेषु श्राद्धम् आनन्त्यमश्नुते //

Transliteration

saṃsāramocanaṃ tīrthaṃ tathaiva ṛṇamocanam eteṣu pitṛtīrtheṣu śrāddham ānantyamaśnute //

Translation

There is a sacred ford called “Saṃsāra-mocana” (Liberation from worldly bondage), and likewise one called “Ṛṇa-mocana” (Release from debts). In these ancestral sacred fords (pitṛ-tīrthas), the performance of śrāddha yields inexhaustible merit.

Word by Word

• संसारमोचनम् (saṃsāramocanam): liberation from saṃsāra/worldly bondage

• तीर्थम् (tīrtham): sacred ford/pilgrimage place

• तथा एव (tathaiva): and likewise/also

• ऋणमोचनम् (ṛṇamocanam): release from debts/obligations

• एतेषु (eteṣu): in these

• पितृतीर्थेषु (pitṛtīrtheṣu): in ancestral sacred fords connected with the Pitṛs

• श्राद्धम् (śrāddham): ancestral rite/oblation offered with faith

• आनन्त्यम् (ānantyam): endlessness/inexhaustibility (of merit)

• अश्नुते (aśnute): attains/obtains.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Pitṛs
• Tīrtha
• Śrāddha

Tags

• Tirtha
• Shraddha
• Pitru
• Ritual Dharma
• Karmic Release

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it focuses on liberation from saṃsāra through tīrtha and the inexhaustible merit of performing śrāddha at pitṛ-tīrthas.

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

It reinforces gṛhastha-dharma: honoring the Pitṛs through śrāddha is a core obligation (ṛṇa) to ancestors, and performing it at appropriate tīrthas is said to yield enduring spiritual merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights pitṛ-tīrthas as especially efficacious locations for śrāddha, promising “ānantya” (inexhaustible fruit); no vastu/temple-building rule is stated in this verse.