Matsyatirtha, Matsya-tirtha, Matsyatīrtha: 2 definitions

Introduction:

Matsyatirtha means something in the history of ancient India. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

India history and geography

Matsyatirtha is one of the places visited by Chaitanya during his pilgrimage in Southern India between April 1510 and January 1512.—Matsya-tirtha.—Either (1) Mahé, the French possession on the coast of the Malabar district. Or (2) Matsya-gundam, a curious pool on the Macheru river, near the village of Matam, six miles north north-west of Pacleru (in the Padwa taluq of the Vizaga-patam district). A barrier of rocks runs right across the river there, and the stream plunges into a great hole and vanishes beneath this, reappearing again about a hundred yards lower down. Just where it emerges from under the barrier it forms a pool which is crowded with mahseer of all sizes. (Vizagapatam Gaz. 285).

Source: archive.org: Chaitanya’s life and teachings (history)

Matsyatīrtha (मत्स्यतीर्थ) is the name of a sacred place (situated near the Thiruvallam area), according to the Anantaśayanakṣetramāhātmya, a text talking about the Thiruvananthapuram temple in eleven chapters, written before the 14th century and claiming to be part of the Brahmāṇḍapurāṇa.—Pleased by Divākara’s devotion, Viṣṇu appears before him as a radiant young child. [...] The sage repeatedly pleads with the boy to appear from the hollow where he had disappeared. Divākara meditates there, visualising Viṣṇu in the form of Anantapadmanābha. Suddenly the huge tree is transformed into the form of Padmanābha lying on a serpent along with his attributes. His head is positioned near a Tīrtha called Matsyatīrtha (Tiruvallam area, seven kilometres south of the Tiruvanantapuram temple), and his shoulders are close to the Cakratīrtha and Śaṅkhatīrtha.

There is a temple tank in Tiruvallam presently known as Balitīrtha (while the māhātmya refers to it as Matsyatīrtha), and two water tanks in Tṛppādapuram, as mentioned in the Anantaśayanakṣetra-māhātmya, namely Aśrutīrtha and Pāpanāśinī-tīrtha (in the māhātmya these tanks are referred to as Dharmatīrtha and Adharmatīrtha).

Source: Heidelberg: Glory of the Tiruvanantapuram Padmanabhasvami Temple
India history book cover
context information

The history of India traces the identification of countries, villages, towns and other regions of India, as well as mythology, zoology, royal dynasties, rulers, tribes, local festivities and traditions and regional languages. Ancient India enjoyed religious freedom and encourages the path of Dharma, a concept common to Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism.

Discover the meaning of matsyatirtha in the context of India history from the community on Patreon

See also (Relevant definitions)

Relevant text

Let's grow together!

I humbly request your help to keep doing what I do best: provide the world with unbiased sources, definitions and images. Your donation direclty influences the quality and quantity of knowledge, wisdom and spiritual insight the world is exposed to.

Let's make the world a better place together!

Like what you read? Help to become even better: