Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Procedure for Going to Prayaga and the Greatness of the Ganga

Devanagari script

*युधिष्ठिर उवाच यथा यथा प्रयागस्य माहात्म्यं कथ्यते त्वया तथा तथा प्रमुच्ये ऽहं सर्वपापैर्न संशयः //

Transliteration

*yudhiṣṭhira uvāca yathā yathā prayāgasya māhātmyaṃ kathyate tvayā tathā tathā pramucye 'haṃ sarvapāpairna saṃśayaḥ //

Translation

Yudhiṣṭhira said: “As you recount again and again the greatness of Prayāga, so too, again and again, I am released from all sins; of this there is no doubt.”

Word by Word

• yudhiṣṭhiraḥ uvāca: Yudhiṣṭhira said

• yathā yathā: as, in whatever manner / whenever

• prayāgasya: of Prayāga (the sacred confluence)

• māhātmyam: greatness, sanctifying glory

• kathyate: is told, is narrated

• tvayā: by you

• tathā tathā: so, in that very measure / correspondingly

• pramucye: I am freed, I am released

• aham: I

• sarva-pāpaiḥ: from all sins

• na saṃśayaḥ: no doubt, certainly.

Speaker

• Yudhisthira

Entities Mentioned

• Yudhisthira
• Prayaga

Tags

• Prayaga
• Tirtha-Mahatmya
• Shravana
• Punya
• Papa-kshaya

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it teaches that hearing the Prayāga-māhātmya itself is a purifying act that destroys sin.

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

It highlights śravaṇa (attentive listening to dharmic narration) as a practical discipline: a king or householder advances ethically by seeking sacred instruction and cultivating inner purification rather than relying only on external power or status.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No architectural rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is that kathā-śravaṇa—hearing the sanctifying account of a tīrtha like Prayāga—is itself treated as a meritorious purification-practice.