Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayaga: Manasa Tirtha

Devanagari script

परिभ्रष्टस्तु राजेन्द्र सो ऽग्निहोत्री भवेन्नरः भुक्त्वा तु विपुलान्भोगांस् तत्तीर्थं भजते पुनः //

Transliteration

paribhraṣṭastu rājendra so 'gnihotrī bhavennaraḥ bhuktvā tu vipulānbhogāṃs tattīrthaṃ bhajate punaḥ //

Translation

O best of kings, even a man who has fallen from his proper religious observances becomes again an Agnihotrin—one who maintains the sacred fire. Having enjoyed abundant worldly pleasures, he once more resorts to that sacred ford (tīrtha).

Word by Word

• परिभ्रष्टः (paribhraṣṭaḥ): fallen from right conduct/observances

• तु (tu): indeed

• राजेन्द्र (rājendra): O king of kings

• सः (saḥ): he

• अग्निहोत्री (agnihotrī): performer/maintainer of the Agnihotra fire-rite

• भवेत् (bhavet): becomes

• नरः (naraḥ): man

• भुक्त्वा (bhuktvā): having enjoyed

• तु (tu): and/indeed

• विपुलान् (vipulān): plentiful, abundant

• भोगान् (bhogān): enjoyments, pleasures

• तत्-तीर्थम् (tat-tīrtham): that tīrtha, that sacred place

• भजते (bhajate): resorts to, seeks, worships/attends

• पुनः (punaḥ): again

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (as rājendra)

Entities Mentioned

• Agnihotra
• Tirtha

Tags

• Tirtha
• Prayaschitta
• Agnihotra
• Ritual Purity
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on dharma-restoration through tīrtha-sevana, emphasizing moral and ritual renewal rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It highlights that even one who has lapsed can return to Vedic household duties—especially maintaining Agnihotra—through renewed commitment and association with a tīrtha, a point relevant to kings who uphold dharma and householders who sustain sacred fires.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it points to Agnihotra (the sacred fire observance) and tīrtha-sevana as a means of regaining eligibility and purity; no Vāstu or temple-construction rule is stated in this verse.