Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayaga and Allied Tirthas

Devanagari script

त्वया च सम्यक्पृष्टेन कथितं वै मया विभो पितरस्तारिताः सर्वे तथैव च पितामहाः //

Transliteration

tvayā ca samyakpṛṣṭena kathitaṃ vai mayā vibho pitarastāritāḥ sarve tathaiva ca pitāmahāḥ //

Translation

O Lord, because you questioned rightly, I have indeed explained it; thereby all the fathers (ancestors) have been delivered—likewise the grandfathers as well.

Word by Word

• tvayā: by you

• ca: and

• samyak-pṛṣṭena: by (one) who has asked properly / with a well-formed question

• kathitam: explained, narrated

• vai: indeed

• mayā: by me

• vibho: O Mighty One / O Lord

• pitaraḥ: fathers, forefathers (Pitṛs)

• tāritāḥ: delivered, carried across (from suffering)

• sarve: all

• tathā eva: in the same way, likewise

• ca: and

• pitāmahāḥ: grandfathers / paternal grandfathers (ancestors of the prior generation).

Speaker

• A sage-narrator addressing a divine interlocutor (likely a Ṛṣi speaking to Lord Matsya / a divine Lord in the Matsya Purana dialogue-frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Pitṛs (ancestors)
• Pitāmahas (grandfathers)

Tags

• Śrāddha
• Pitṛs
• Ancestor liberation
• Dharma
• Puranic discourse

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya directly; it emphasizes the salvific fruit of correctly asked questions and the teaching of dharma—specifically, the deliverance of ancestors (Pitṛs) through the rite/teaching being discussed.

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

It aligns with the householder’s (and ruler’s) dharma of maintaining lineage obligations: asking for proper instruction, performing śrāddha/tarpaṇa correctly, and thereby securing welfare for departed ancestors across generations.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is central: it underscores that proper inquiry and proper transmission of śrāddha-related teaching results in the ‘tāraṇa’ (deliverance) of Pitṛs and Pitāmahas; no Vāstu/temple-architecture detail is stated in this verse.