Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayaga and Allied Tirthas

Devanagari script

य इदं शृणुयान्नित्यं तीर्थं पुण्यं सदा शुचिः जातिस्मरत्वं लभते नाकपृष्ठे च मोदते //

Transliteration

ya idaṃ śṛṇuyānnityaṃ tīrthaṃ puṇyaṃ sadā śuciḥ jātismaratvaṃ labhate nākapṛṣṭhe ca modate //

Translation

Whoever, ever pure, listens daily to this sacred and meritorious account of the tīrtha gains remembrance of past births and rejoices upon heaven’s summit.

Word by Word

• yaḥ: whoever

• idam: this (teaching/account)

• śṛṇuyāt: should hear/listen

• nityam: daily/constantly

• tīrtham: sacred ford/pilgrimage-place (tīrtha) / its account

• puṇyam: merit-giving/holy

• sadā: always

• śuciḥ: pure/clean (in conduct)

• jātismaratvam: memory of births (past-life recollection)

• labhate: obtains/attains

• nākapṛṣṭhe: on the back/summit of heaven (svarga)

• ca: and

• modate: delights/rejoices.

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) presenting the phalaśruti (benefits of hearing)

Entities Mentioned

• Tirtha
• Svarga (Naka)

Tags

• Tirtha-Mahatmya
• Phalashruti
• Shravana
• Punya
• Svarga

FAQs

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

This verse is a phalaśruti about the merit of daily listening to a sacred tīrtha account; it does not directly discuss pralaya, but emphasizes spiritual results (puṇya, heaven, heightened memory) gained through śravaṇa.

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

It supports the dharmic discipline of nitya-śravaṇa (regular hearing of sacred lore) and śauca (purity), practices recommended for householders and rulers alike to cultivate merit, clarity of mind, and auspicious destiny.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual emphasis is śravaṇa (listening) performed nityam with śuci (purity); no specific Vāstu or temple-construction rule is stated in this verse.