Shloka 54

Matsya Purana — Lineage of the Pitṛs

Devanagari script

यः स्मरेच्छृणुयाद् वापि सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते एषु तीर्थेषु यः कृत्वा स्नानं पश्यति मां नरः //

Transliteration

yaḥ smarecchṛṇuyād vāpi sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate eṣu tīrtheṣu yaḥ kṛtvā snānaṃ paśyati māṃ naraḥ //

Translation

Whoever remembers (these sacred places), or even hears (their account), is released from all sins. And that man who, having bathed in these tīrthas, beholds Me (the Lord), attains this purifying merit.

Word by Word

• यः (yaḥ): whoever

• स्मरेत् (smaret): should remember/remembers

• शृणुयात् (śṛṇuyāt): should hear/hears

• वा अपि (vā api): or even

• सर्व-पापैः (sarva-pāpaiḥ): from all sins

• प्रमुच्यते (pramucyate): is freed/released

• एषु (eṣu): in these

• तीर्थेषु (tīrtheṣu): sacred fords/pilgrimage places

• यः (yaḥ): who

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having done

• स्नानम् (snānam): bathing/ablution

• पश्यति (paśyati): sees/beholds

• माम् (mām): Me

• नरः (naraḥ): a man/person

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vishnu
• Tirtha

Tags

• Tirtha
• Snana
• Papa-kshaya
• Shravana
• Smriti

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it teaches purification through śravaṇa (hearing), smaraṇa (remembering), and tīrtha-snāna (ritual bathing), emphasizing moral-spiritual cleansing rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It supports dharmic conduct by prescribing accessible means of self-purification—hearing sacred teachings, remembering holy traditions, and undertaking tīrtha-snāna—practices suitable for householders and rulers seeking ethical renewal and merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is tīrtha-snāna: bathing at sacred sites and devotional “beholding” of the Lord; no Vāstu or temple-construction rule is stated, but the verse reinforces pilgrimage-and-ritual culture central to Purāṇic worship.