Shloka 27

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

Devanagari script

कम्बलाश्वतरौ नागौ विपुले यमुनातटे तत्र स्नात्वा च पीत्वा च सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते //

Transliteration

kambalāśvatarau nāgau vipule yamunātaṭe tatra snātvā ca pītvā ca sarvapāpaiḥ pramucyate //

Translation

On the broad bank of the Yamunā are the two Nāgas, Kambala and Aśvatara; by bathing there and drinking the water, one is released from all sins.

Word by Word

• कम्बलाश्वतरौ: Kambala and Aśvatara

• नागौ: the two Nāga-serpents (serpent-deities)

• विपुले: broad, expansive

• यमुनातटे: on the bank of the Yamunā

• तत्र: there

• स्नात्वा: having bathed

• च: and

• पीत्वा: having drunk (the water)

• च: and

• सर्वपापैः: from all sins

• प्रमुच्यते: is freed, is released

Speaker

• Suta (Pauranika narrator) describing a Yamuna tirtha’s merit (tirtha-mahatmya style)

Entities Mentioned

• Yamuna
• Kambala
• Ashvatara
• Nagas

Tags

• Tirtha-Mahatmya
• Yamuna
• Pilgrimage
• Ritual Bathing
• Sin-Removal

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it teaches tīrtha-mahātmya—how bathing and drinking at a specific Yamunā sacred spot grants purification from sin.

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

It supports the dharmic duty of purification through approved rites: householders (and rulers) are encouraged to perform tīrtha-snānā as part of expiation and maintenance of personal and social purity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is primary: snāna (sacred bathing) and pāna (drinking the tīrtha water) at the Yamunā bank associated with Nāga-deities is said to remove sins; no vastu/temple-building rule is stated.