Shloka 27

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

Devanagari script

अग्नितीर्थमिति ख्यातं यमुनादक्षिणे तटे पश्चिमे धर्मराजस्य तीर्थं तु नरकं स्मृतम् //

Transliteration

agnitīrthamiti khyātaṃ yamunādakṣiṇe taṭe paścime dharmarājasya tīrthaṃ tu narakaṃ smṛtam //

Translation

On the southern bank of the Yamunā there is a sacred ford renowned as Agni-tīrtha. And on the western side lies Dharma-rāja’s holy place, remembered by the name Naraka-tīrtha.

Word by Word

• agni-tīrtham: Agni-tirtha, a sacred bathing-place associated with the Fire-god

• iti: thus

• khyātam: famed/known

• yamunā-dakṣiṇe: on the southern side of the Yamuna

• taṭe: on the bank

• paścime: on the western side

• dharma-rājasya: of Dharma-raja (Yama, Lord of Justice)

• tīrtham: sacred ford/pilgrimage spot

• tu: and/indeed

• narakam: Naraka ("hell"), as a place-name/title of the tirtha

• smṛtam: remembered/traditionally stated

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in dialogue with Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Yamunā
• Agni
• Dharma-rāja (Yama)
• Naraka-tīrtha

Tags

• Tirtha
• Yamuna
• Pilgrimage
• Dharma
• Sacred Geography

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it maps sacred geography by naming specific tīrthas on the Yamunā’s banks and associating them with deities (Agni and Dharma-rāja).

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma through tīrtha-yātrā: rulers and householders are encouraged in Purāṇic ethics to honor sacred places, perform purificatory bathing, and uphold moral order symbolized by Dharma-rāja (Yama).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is tīrtha-snānā (bathing at a sacred ford) and pilgrimage orientation—identifying where particular deity-associated tīrthas are located (south/west of the Yamunā), guiding traditional rites rather than temple architecture.