Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Pitṛ Worlds

Devanagari script

तीर्थश्राद्धप्रदा यान्ति ये च क्षत्रियसत्तमाः राज्ञां तु पितरस्ते वै स्वर्गमोक्षफलप्रदाः //

Transliteration

tīrthaśrāddhapradā yānti ye ca kṣatriyasattamāḥ rājñāṃ tu pitaraste vai svargamokṣaphalapradāḥ //

Translation

Those foremost Kṣatriyas who perform Śrāddha at sacred pilgrimage sites (tīrthas) attain the highest goal; indeed, the Pitṛs of kings bestow the fruits of heaven and even liberation (mokṣa).

Word by Word

• tīrtha: sacred ford/pilgrimage place

• śrāddha-pradāḥ: performers/givers of śrāddha-offerings

• yānti: go/attain

• ye: those who

• ca: and

• kṣatriya-sattamāḥ: the best among Kṣatriyas

• rājñām: of kings

• tu: indeed/but

• pitaraḥ: ancestors (Pitṛs)

• te: they

• vai: certainly

• svarga: heaven

• mokṣa: liberation

• phala: fruit/result

• pradāḥ: givers/bestowers

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue framework)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs
• Kṣatriyas
• Rājā (King)

Tags

• Shraddha
• Tirtha
• Pitrs
• Rajadharma
• Moksha

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on ritual merit—especially tīrtha-śrāddha—and the salvific role of Pitṛs in granting heavenly and liberating results.

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

It frames ancestral rites as a key dharma for rulers (and by extension householders): a king who honors ancestors through śrāddha—particularly at tīrthas—upholds lineage-duty and gains elevated spiritual outcomes.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: performing śrāddha in a tīrtha is presented as exceptionally potent, with the Pitṛs described as bestowers of both svarga and mokṣa results.