Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayaga and Allied Tirthas

Devanagari script

प्राप्यन्ते तानि तीर्थानि सद्भिः शिष्टानुदर्शिभिः स्नाहि तीर्थेषु कौरव्य न च वक्रमतिर्भव //

Transliteration

prāpyante tāni tīrthāni sadbhiḥ śiṣṭānudarśibhiḥ snāhi tīrtheṣu kauravya na ca vakramatirbhava //

Translation

Those tīrthas are attained by the good—by those who follow the guidance of the cultured and disciplined. O Kauravya, bathe at the tīrthas, and do not become crooked in mind.

Word by Word

• प्राप्यन्ते (prāpyante): are attained/obtained

• तानि (tāni): those

• तीर्थानि (tīrthāni): sacred fords/pilgrimage places

• सद्भिः (sadbhiḥ): by the good/virtuous

• शिष्टानुदर्शिभिः (śiṣṭānudarśibhiḥ): by those who follow the example/instruction of the learned and well-conducted

• स्नाहि (snāhi): bathe (imperative)

• तीर्थेषु (tīrtheṣu): in/at the tīrthas

• कौरव्य (kauravya): O descendant of Kuru (address)

• न (na): not

• च (ca): and

• वक्रमतिः (vakramatiḥ): crooked mind/perverse intention

• भव (bhava): become (imperative)

Speaker

• Narrator/Teacher voice within the Tirtha-Mahatmya discourse (addressing a Kuru-descendant listener)

Entities Mentioned

• Kauravya
• Tirtha

Tags

• Tirtha-yatra
• Snana
• Dharma
• Sadachara
• Ethics

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it teaches that access to sacred tīrthas is linked to moral discipline and guidance from the well-conducted, emphasizing ethical purity rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It frames pilgrimage as a dharmic act that must be paired with inner integrity: a king or householder should seek purification (tīrtha-snāna) while avoiding vakra-mati—deceit, harmful intent, or crooked judgement—thus aligning public duty with personal virtue.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights tīrtha-snāna (sacred bathing) and sadācāra as prerequisites for spiritual merit; by implication, purity of conduct is foundational before undertaking major rites, consecrations, or other sacred procedures.