Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — The Glory of Prayaga: Pilgrimage

Devanagari script

तं वटं रक्षति सदा शूलपाणिर्महेश्वरः स्थानं रक्षन्ति वै देवाः सर्वपापहरं शुभम् //

Transliteration

taṃ vaṭaṃ rakṣati sadā śūlapāṇirmaheśvaraḥ sthānaṃ rakṣanti vai devāḥ sarvapāpaharaṃ śubham //

Translation

That banyan tree is ever protected by Maheśvara, the great Lord who bears the trident; and indeed the gods safeguard that holy place—auspicious and the remover of all sins.

Word by Word

• tam: that

• vaṭam: banyan tree (sacred fig)

• rakṣati: protects

• sadā: always

• śūla-pāṇiḥ: trident-in-hand (epithet of Śiva)

• maheśvaraḥ: the Great Lord (Śiva)

• sthānam: place, sacred site

• rakṣanti: protect/guard

• vai: indeed, certainly

• devāḥ: the gods

• sarva-pāpa-haram: remover of all sins

• śubham: auspicious, благоприятное

Speaker

• Suta (Purana narrator) describing the sanctity of the kshetra (contextual narration within the Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Maheśvara (Śiva)
• Śūlapāṇi (Śiva)
• Devāḥ (the gods)
• Vaṭa (sacred banyan)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Kshetra-Mahatmya
• Shiva
• Punya
• Papahara

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it emphasizes tīrtha-mahātmya—divine protection of a sacred banyan and the sin-destroying merit of the holy site.

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

It supports the dharmic duty of honoring and protecting sacred places and trees, and encourages householders (and rulers) to promote pilgrimage, preservation of holy groves, and acts that reduce pāpa through devotion and righteous conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it frames the vaṭa and its kṣetra as a protected, merit-giving locus for worship and observances; architecturally, it implies the sanctity of preserving the sacred tree/space as part of temple or tīrtha precinct planning.