Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — The Glory of Prayaga: Pilgrimage

Devanagari script

दर्शनात्तस्य तीर्थस्य नामसंकीर्तनादपि मृत्तिकालम्भनाद्वापि नरः पापात्प्रमुच्यते //

Transliteration

darśanāttasya tīrthasya nāmasaṃkīrtanādapi mṛttikālambhanādvāpi naraḥ pāpātpramucyate //

Translation

By merely beholding that sacred ford (tīrtha), by chanting its name, or even by applying/using its holy earth (mṛttikā), a person is released from sin.

Word by Word

• दर्शनात् (darśanāt): by seeing, by beholding

• तस्य (tasya): of that

• तीर्थस्य (tīrthasya): of the pilgrimage place/sacred ford

• नामसंकीर्तनात् (nāma-saṃkīrtanāt): by singing/reciting the name (aloud, in praise)

• अपि (api): even, also

• मृत्तिका (mṛttikā): sacred earth/clay

• आलम्भनात् (ālambhanāt): by taking up, applying, making use of (touching/daubing)

• वा अपि (vā api): or even

• नरः (naraḥ): a person

• पापात् (pāpāt): from sin

• प्रमुच्यते (pramucyate): is freed, is released.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) conveying the Matsya Purana’s tirtha-mahatmya teaching (within the Manu–Matsya transmission tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Tirtha
• Mrittika

Tags

• Tirtha Mahatmya
• Ritual Purification
• Nama-sankirtana
• Punya
• Papakshaya

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it teaches tirtha-mahatmya—how contact with a sacred place (seeing it, chanting its name, or using its holy earth) leads to purification from sin.

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

It supports practical dharma: even householders and rulers can reduce sin through accessible acts—pilgrimage (darśana), devotional recitation (nāma-saṃkīrtana), and simple ritual purity practices using tīrtha-mṛttikā.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights mṛttikā (sacred earth) as a purifying substance—used by touching, applying, or carrying it—alongside darśana and name-recitation as recognized means of pāpa-kṣaya.