Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Prayaga Mahatmya Begins: Yudhishthira’s Remorse

Devanagari script

*नन्दिकेश्वर उवाच अतः परं प्रवक्ष्यामि प्रयागस्योपवर्णनम् मार्कण्डेयेन कथितं यत्पुरा पाण्डुसूनवे //

Transliteration

*nandikeśvara uvāca ataḥ paraṃ pravakṣyāmi prayāgasyopavarṇanam mārkaṇḍeyena kathitaṃ yatpurā pāṇḍusūnave //

Translation

Nandikeśvara said: “Now, hereafter, I shall relate the description and praise of Prayāga—just as it was formerly narrated by Mārkaṇḍeya to the son of Pāṇḍu.”

Word by Word

• नन्दिकेश्वरः: Nandikeśvara

• उवाच: said

• अतः परम्: henceforth/now onward

• प्रवक्ष्यामि: I will expound/I will relate

• प्रयागस्य: of Prayāga (the sacred confluence)

• उपवर्णनम्: detailed description/praise

• मार्कण्डेयेन: by Mārkaṇḍeya

• कथितम्: told/narrated

• यत्: which

• पुरा: formerly/once

• पाण्डुसूनवे: to the son of Pāṇḍu (Pāṇḍava, traditionally Yudhiṣṭhira).

Speaker

• Nandikeśvara

Entities Mentioned

• Nandikeśvara
• Prayāga
• Mārkaṇḍeya
• Pāṇḍusūnu (Pāṇḍava, commonly understood as Yudhiṣṭhira)

Tags

• Tirtha Mahatmya
• Prayaga
• Pilgrimage
• Sacred Geography
• Puranic Narration

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it serves as a narrative transition announcing a forthcoming account of Prayāga’s sacred greatness.

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

Indirectly, it frames a teaching lineage (Mārkaṇḍeya → Pāṇḍu’s son) that kings and householders should heed—namely, learning dharmic practices like pilgrimage and honoring tīrthas as part of righteous living.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No architectural rule is stated here; the ritual significance is introductory—signaling a tīrtha-māhātmya section where rites, merits, and practices connected with Prayāga are typically detailed.