Shloka 2

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

Devanagari script

भगवन्केन विधिना गन्तव्यं धर्मनिश्चयैः प्रयागे यो विधिः प्रोक्तस् तन्मे ब्रूहि महामुने //

Transliteration

bhagavankena vidhinā gantavyaṃ dharmaniścayaiḥ prayāge yo vidhiḥ proktas tanme brūhi mahāmune //

Translation

O revered one, by what procedure should those who are resolved upon dharma go to Prayāga? Whatever rite has been taught for Prayāga—tell that to me, O great sage.

Word by Word

• bhagavan: O venerable one

• kena: by what

• vidhinā: method/procedure

• gantavyam: should be gone/one should go

• dharma-niścayaiḥ: by those firm in dharma (resolved in righteousness)

• prayāge: at Prayāga

• yaḥ: which/whatever

• vidhiḥ: prescribed rite/ritual procedure

• proktaḥ: declared/taught

• tat: that

• me: to me

• brūhi: tell/speak

• mahā-mune: O great sage

Speaker

• The inquirer (a disciple/pilgrim-questioner addressing a Mahamuni; within Matsya Purana’s dialogue framework this functions as the questioner speaking to the narrating sage)

Entities Mentioned

• Prayaga

Tags

• Prayaga
• Tirtha
• Pilgrimage
• Dharma
• Ritual Vidhi

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it introduces a dharma-focused inquiry about the correct ritual procedure (vidhi) for pilgrimage to Prayāga.

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

It frames pilgrimage as a dharmic act: those “resolved in dharma” should follow an authorized procedure rather than travel casually, reflecting the householder ethic of performing rites with proper rule and intention.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is explicitly ritual: the verse asks for the prescribed Prayāga-vidhi (rules and steps of worship/bathing/observance) rather than any temple-architecture (vāstu) instruction.