Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

तथा वाराणसी पुण्या पितॄणां वल्लभा सदा यत्राविमुक्तसांनिध्यं भुक्तिमुक्तिफलप्रदम् //

Transliteration

tathā vārāṇasī puṇyā pitṝṇāṃ vallabhā sadā yatrāvimuktasāṃnidhyaṃ bhuktimuktiphalapradam //

Translation

Likewise, sacred Vārāṇasī is ever dear to the Pitṛs; for there the presence of Avimukta is close at hand, bestowing the fruits of both worldly enjoyment and liberation.

Word by Word

• tathā: likewise/also

• vārāṇasī: Varanasi (Kashi)

• puṇyā: holy, merit-bestowing

• pitṝṇām: of the ancestors (manes)

• vallabhā: beloved, dear

• sadā: always

• yatra: where

• avimukta-sāṃnidhyam: the close presence/proximity of Avimukta (the ‘never-abandoned’ sacred seat of Shiva/Kashi)

• bhukti: worldly enjoyment/prosperity

• mukti: liberation

• phala-pradam: granting the fruit, bestowing results

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in dialogue with Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Varanasi (Kashi)
• Pitrs (Ancestors)
• Avimukta

Tags

• Tirtha
• Kashi
• Avimukta
• Pitrs
• Bhukti-Mukti

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it is a tīrtha-māhātmya statement praising Vārāṇasī as a place that grants both bhukti (worldly attainments) and mukti (liberation) due to the presence of Avimukta.

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

By calling Vārāṇasī “beloved of the pitṛs,” the verse supports the householder duty of honoring ancestors (śrāddha, tarpaṇa) and undertaking meritorious pilgrimages; for rulers, it implies patronage of sacred sites and enabling public access to rites that sustain dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights Avimukta-Kṣetra as a uniquely efficacious locale where rites yield both prosperity and liberation; architecturally by implication, it supports the Puranic principle that temples and ritual spaces gain potency through proximity to renowned sacred kṣetras like Kashi.