Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — The Legend of Acchodā: Pitṛloka

Devanagari script

भविष्यसि परे काले नदीत्वं च गमिष्यसि पुण्यतोषा सरिच्छ्रेष्ठा लोके ह्य् अच्छोदनामिका //

Transliteration

bhaviṣyasi pare kāle nadītvaṃ ca gamiṣyasi puṇyatoṣā saricchreṣṭhā loke hy acchodanāmikā //

Translation

In a later age you shall become a river; you will attain the state of a sacred stream, renowned in the world as Acchodā, foremost among rivers, delighting in holy merit.

Word by Word

• bhaviṣyasi: you will become/you will be in the future

• pare kāle: in a later time/age

• nadītvaṃ: the condition/state of being a river

• ca: and

• gamiṣyasi: you will attain/go to

• puṇya-toṣā: one whose delight/satisfaction is in merit and holiness (or: causing satisfaction through merit)

• sarit-śreṣṭhā: best/foremost among rivers

• loke: in the world

• hi: indeed

• acchodā-nāmikā: named ‘Acchodā’

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing a personified sacred entity destined to become the river Acchodā (within the Matsya–Manu prophetic narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Acchodā (sacred river)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Sacred Rivers
• Tirtha
• Prophecy
• Matsya-Avatara

FAQs

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

It hints at the post-Pralaya re-ordering of the world: beings or sacred presences can be transformed into enduring features of sacred geography—here, a future river revered as a major tīrtha.

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

By elevating a river as “foremost” and merit-giving, the verse supports Purāṇic dharma: rulers and householders should protect waterways, perform tīrtha-related rites, and cultivate puṇya through responsible stewardship and pilgrimage.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it foregrounds a named sacred river (Acchodā) as a locus for bathing, offerings, and tīrtha observances—often the basis for later temple placement and riverbank ritual planning in Purāṇic tradition.