Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — Conclusion of the Prayaga Mahatmya: Kingship Restored

Devanagari script

दश तीर्थसहस्राणि तिस्रः कोट्यस्तथापगाः माघमासे गमिष्यन्ति गङ्गायां भरतर्षभ //

Transliteration

daśa tīrthasahasrāṇi tisraḥ koṭyastathāpagāḥ māghamāse gamiṣyanti gaṅgāyāṃ bharatarṣabha //

Translation

O bull among the Bhāratas, in the month of Māgha, ten thousand tīrthas (sacred fords) and likewise three crores of rivers will make their way to the Gaṅgā.

Word by Word

• दश: ten

• तीर्थ-सहस्राणि: thousands of tīrthas (sacred bathing-places/pilgrimage fords)

• तिस्रः: three

• कोट्यः: crores (ten-millions)

• तथा: likewise/also

• अपगाः: rivers/streams

• माघ-मासे: in the month of Māgha

• गमिष्यन्ति: will go/will proceed

• गङ्गायाम्: to/into the Gaṅgā (in the Gaṅgā)

• भरत-ऋषभ: O best of the Bhāratas (epithet addressing a noble listener)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Ganga
• Magha (month)
• Tirthas
• Apagah (rivers)
• Bharata lineage

Tags

• Tirtha Mahatmya
• Magha Snana
• Ganga
• Pilgrimage
• Ritual Bathing

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it expresses a sacred-geographical idea that, during Māgha, the merit (puṇya) of many tīrthas and rivers is believed to be present in Gaṅgā, magnifying the fruit of bathing and pilgrimage.

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

It supports the dharma of seasonal observances: a householder (and a king guiding public religion) is encouraged to sponsor or undertake Māgha-month vows—especially Gaṅgā bathing and tīrtha practices—seen as accessible means to accrue merit and purify conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights Māgha snāna (holy bathing) in the Gaṅgā as exceptionally potent, implying that Gaṅgā-ghāṭs and bathing rites during Māgha carry heightened sanctity; architectural details are not specified in this verse.