Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

एवं दृष्ट्वा तु तत्तीर्थं प्रयागं परमं पदम् मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यः शशाङ्क इव राहुणा //

Transliteration

evaṃ dṛṣṭvā tu tattīrthaṃ prayāgaṃ paramaṃ padam mucyate sarvapāpebhyaḥ śaśāṅka iva rāhuṇā //

Translation

Thus, merely by beholding that sacred ford—Prayāga, the supreme holy station—one is released from all sins, just as the moon is freed from Rāhu’s grasp.

Word by Word

• evaṃ: thus

• dṛṣṭvā: having seen/after beholding

• tu: indeed

• tat-tīrtham: that sacred ford/pilgrimage-place

• prayāgam: Prayāga (the confluence tirtha)

• paramam: supreme

• padam: state/abode/holy station

• mucyate: is liberated/is released

• sarva-pāpebhyaḥ: from all sins

• śaśāṅkaḥ: the moon

• iva: like

• rāhuṇā: by Rāhu (i.e., from Rāhu’s seizure/eclipse)

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) conveying the Matsya Purana’s Tirtha-Mahatmya teaching

Entities Mentioned

• Prayaga
• Rahu
• Shashanka (Moon)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Prayaga
• Pilgrimage
• Punya
• Sin-removal

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it uses a cosmic image (Rāhu’s grasp of the moon) as a metaphor to emphasize the immediate, cleansing power of Prayāga-darśana (seeing the tirtha).

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

It supports the Purāṇic ethic that householders and rulers should undertake tīrtha-yātrā and seek purification through sacred places; even the act of darśana at Prayāga is presented as a potent means to reduce pāpa and renew dharmic life.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights tīrtha-darśana (and by implication, pilgrimage rites like bathing and worship at Prayāga) as a direct purifier; no Vāstu or temple-construction rule is specified in this verse.