Shloka 24

Matsya Purana — Glory of Prayaga: The Fruit of the Anashaka Fast and the Merit of the Yamuna

Devanagari script

येनैव निःसृता गङ्गा तेनैव यमुना गता योजनानां सहस्रेषु कीर्तनात्पापनाशिनी //

Transliteration

yenaiva niḥsṛtā gaṅgā tenaiva yamunā gatā yojanānāṃ sahasreṣu kīrtanātpāpanāśinī //

Translation

From the very source from which the Gaṅgā issued forth, from that same source the Yamunā too proceeded. Even from thousands of yojanas away, the mere recitation of her name and glory destroys sin.

Word by Word

• yena eva: from which very (source/cause)

• niḥsṛtā: issued forth, flowed out

• gaṅgā: the river Ganga

• tena eva: by that very (same source)

• yamunā: the river Yamuna

• gatā: went, proceeded, flowed

• yojanānām: of yojanas (a measure of distance)

• sahasreṣu: in thousands (even at a distance of thousands)

• kīrtanāt: from praising/reciting/remembering

• pāpa-nāśinī: destroyer of sins (sin-removing).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within a tirtha-mahatmya narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Gaṅgā
• Yamunā

Tags

• Tirtha-Mahatmya
• Sacred Rivers
• Ganga
• Yamuna
• Nama-Kirtana
• Punya

FAQs

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

It does not describe pralaya directly; it asserts sacred-geography theology—Gaṅgā and Yamunā share a common divine source, and their remembrance (kīrtana) removes sin even at great distance.

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

It supports accessible dharma: even when one cannot travel, a householder or ruler may gain purification through kīrtana—reverent recitation and remembrance of holy rivers—promoting inner discipline and ethical renewal.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights nāma-kīrtana as a valid purificatory practice; by implication it supports river-invocation in snāna, saṅkalpa, and daily rites, though it gives no direct Vāstu or temple-building rule.