Shloka 9

Matsya Purana — Procedure for Going to Prayaga and the Greatness of the Ganga

Devanagari script

न स पश्यति तं घोरं नरकं तेन कर्मणा उत्तरान्स कुरून्गत्वा मोदते कालमक्षयम् पुत्रान्दारांश्च लभते धार्मिकान्रूपसंयुतान् //

Transliteration

na sa paśyati taṃ ghoraṃ narakaṃ tena karmaṇā uttarānsa kurūngatvā modate kālamakṣayam putrāndārāṃśca labhate dhārmikānrūpasaṃyutān //

Translation

By that very deed he does not behold that dreadful hell. Having gone to the Northern Kurus, he rejoices through imperishable ages and obtains sons and a wife—righteous in dharma and endowed with beauty.

Word by Word

• na: not

• saḥ: he

• paśyati: sees/beholds

• tam: that

• ghoram: terrible/dreadful

• narakam: hell

• tena: by that

• karmaṇā: act/deed

• uttarān: northern

• saḥ: he

• kurūn: the Kurus (Uttara-Kuru realm)

• gatvā: having gone

• modate: rejoices/delights

• kālam: for a span of time/ages

• akṣayam: imperishable/undecaying

• putrān: sons

• dārān: wife (lit. spouse/household partner)

• ca: and

• labhate: obtains/attains

• dhārmikān: righteous/virtuous

• rūpa-saṃyutān: endowed with beauty/good form.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching; the verse functions as a phala-śruti)

Entities Mentioned

• Uttara-Kuru
• Naraka

Tags

• Dharma
• Phala-shruti
• Tirtha-Mahatmya
• Karma
• Afterlife

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on karmic results (phala)—avoidance of hell and attainment of a blessed realm through a meritorious act.

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

It frames dharmic conduct as socially and spiritually fruitful: righteous action brings auspicious destiny and a harmonious household (virtuous spouse and progeny), reinforcing the householder ideal upheld across the Matsya Purana’s ethical guidance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated in this verse; it is a results-oriented commendation (phala-śruti) of a prior religious deed/observance described in the surrounding passage.