Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

कृत्वाभिषेकं तु नरः सो ऽश्वमेधफलं लभेत् स्वर्गलोकमवाप्नोति यावदाभूतसंप्लवम् //

Transliteration

kṛtvābhiṣekaṃ tu naraḥ so 'śvamedhaphalaṃ labhet svargalokamavāpnoti yāvadābhūtasaṃplavam //

Translation

Having performed the consecratory rite (abhiṣeka), a man obtains the fruit of the Aśvamedha sacrifice; he attains the world of heaven and remains there until the cosmic dissolution at the end of the age.

Word by Word

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having done, having performed

• अभिषेकम् (abhiṣekam): consecration, ritual anointing

• तु (tu): indeed, moreover

• नरः (naraḥ): a man, a person

• सः (saḥ): he

• अश्वमेध-फलम् (aśvamedha-phalam): the merit/result of the horse-sacrifice

• लभेत् (labhet): would obtain, gains

• स्वर्ग-लोकम् (svarga-lokam): the heavenly realm

• अवाप्नोति (avāpnoti): attains, reaches

• यावत् (yāvat): as long as, until

• आ-भूत-संप्लवम् (ā-bhūta-saṃplavam): until the deluge/dissolution of beings, i.e., cosmic pralaya.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, describing dharma/ritual fruits)

Entities Mentioned

• Ashvamedha
• Svarga
• Abhisheka
• Pralaya (Bhuta-samplava)

Tags

• Dharma
• Ritual
• Abhisheka
• Ashvamedha
• Svarga

FAQs

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

It states that the heavenly reward gained through abhiṣeka lasts “until the bhūta-saṃplava,” i.e., the cosmic dissolution when beings are withdrawn at pralaya.

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

It elevates abhiṣeka—an important rite for rulers (royal consecration) and also for religious observance—by equating its merit to Aśvamedha, encouraging dharmic ritual performance for prosperity and higher worlds.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The focus is ritual: abhiṣeka (consecratory anointing) is presented as a high-merit rite comparable to major Vedic sacrifices, underscoring the importance of proper consecration procedures in Puranic practice.