Shloka 78

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

एष तूद्देशतः प्रोक्तस् तीर्थानां संग्रहो मया वागीशो ऽपि न शक्नोति विस्तरात् किम् उ मानुषः //

Transliteration

eṣa tūddeśataḥ proktas tīrthānāṃ saṃgraho mayā vāgīśo 'pi na śaknoti vistarāt kim u mānuṣaḥ //

Translation

Thus I have stated only a brief outline of the sacred pilgrimage-places. Even Vāgīśa, the lord of speech, cannot fully describe them in detail—how much less can a mere human?

Word by Word

• eṣaḥ: this

• tu: indeed/now

• uddeśataḥ: in summary, by indication

• proktaḥ: has been spoken/declared

• tīrthānām: of the tīrthas (holy fords/pilgrimage places)

• saṅgrahaḥ: compendium, collection, summary

• mayā: by me

• vāgīśaḥ api: even Vāgīśa (lord of speech—commonly identified with Bṛhaspati or the deity presiding over eloquence)

• na śaknoti: is not able

• vistarāt: in full detail, expansively

• kim u: how much more (as an emphatic comparison)

• mānuṣaḥ: a human being.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu as Matsya), addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Vāgīśa
• Tīrthas

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Geography
• Pilgrimage
• Mahatmya
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it emphasizes the immeasurable scope of sacred tīrthas, implying that divine realities and their merits exceed complete human enumeration.

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

It frames pilgrimage and dharma as vast disciplines: a king or householder should follow reliable summaries and traditional guidance rather than claiming total mastery, practicing humility and regulated observance of tīrtha-based rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it signals that tīrtha-vidhi (rules of pilgrimage—bathing, offerings, vows) is extensive; the verse justifies concise prescriptions. It does not give specific Vāstu or temple-building rules in this line.