Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — The Greatness and Procedure of the Sarva-Phala-Tyaga Vrata

Devanagari script

यथा फलान्यनन्तानि शिवभक्तेषु सर्वदा तथानन्तफलावाप्तिर् अस्तु जन्मनि जन्मनि //

Transliteration

yathā phalānyanantāni śivabhakteṣu sarvadā tathānantaphalāvāptir astu janmani janmani //

Translation

As the fruits of merit are ever infinite for the devotees of Śiva, so may the attainment of infinite fruits be ours—birth after birth.

Word by Word

• yathā: just as

• phalāni: fruits/results (of merit)

• anantāni: endless, infinite

• śiva-bhakteṣu: among/for the devotees of Śiva

• sarvadā: always, at all times

• tathā: so, in the same way

• ananta-phala-avāptiḥ: attainment of infinite fruits

• astu: may it be

• janmani janmani: in birth after birth, life after life

Speaker

• Sūta (narratorial phala-śruti benediction in the Matsya Purāṇa’s discourse tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Śiva

Tags

• Śiva-bhakti
• Phala-śruti
• Punya
• Dharma
• Rebirth

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it is a phala-śruti style statement emphasizing that Śiva-devotion yields inexhaustible merit across repeated births.

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

It frames bhakti as a universally accessible dharma: a householder or king who supports and practices Śiva-worship (with faith, vows, gifts, and ethical conduct) is said to gain enduring merit that continues across lifetimes.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific vāstu/temple rule is stated; ritually, it functions as a concluding benediction affirming that Śiva-upāsanā (worship/devotion) produces limitless spiritual ‘fruit’ over many births.