Shloka 30

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

Devanagari script

पूर्वपार्श्वे तु गङ्गायास् त्रिषु लोकेषु भारत कूपं चैव तु सामुद्रं प्रतिष्ठानं च विश्रुतम् //

Transliteration

pūrvapārśve tu gaṅgāyās triṣu lokeṣu bhārata kūpaṃ caiva tu sāmudraṃ pratiṣṭhānaṃ ca viśrutam //

Translation

O Bhārata, on the eastern side of the Gaṅgā there is the famed Samudra-kūpa (the “Ocean Well”), and also Pratiṣṭhāna—both renowned throughout the three worlds.

Word by Word

• पूर्व-पार्श्वे (pūrva-pārśve): on the eastern side

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• गङ्गायाः (gaṅgāyāḥ): of the Gaṅgā

• त्रिषु लोकेषु (triṣu lokeṣu): in the three worlds

• भारत (bhārata): O Bhārata (descendant of Bharata)

• कूपम् (kūpam): a well

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed

• तु (tu): also

• सामुद्रम् (sāmudram): called ‘Samudra’/oceanic

• प्रतिष्ठानम् (pratiṣṭhānam): Pratiṣṭhāna (a renowned place/city)

• च (ca): and

• विश्रुतम् (viśrutam): famous, widely renowned.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, addressing him as Bhārata)

Entities Mentioned

• Gaṅgā
• Samudra-kūpa
• Pratiṣṭhāna
• Bhārata

Tags

• Tirtha Mahatmya
• Sacred Geography
• Gaṅgā
• Pilgrimage
• Puranic Places

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it functions as tīrtha-māhātmya, mapping sacred geography by naming renowned places associated with the Gaṅgā.

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

By highlighting celebrated tīrthas, the verse supports the Purāṇic duty of pilgrimage, gifting, and ritual bathing—acts recommended for householders and patronized by kings to uphold dharma and public piety.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it identifies specific Gaṅgā-side sacred sites (a ‘well’ and a famed place) suitable for bathing, vows, and offerings; architecturally, it implicitly underscores the importance of water-adjacent sacred topography when selecting and honoring holy locales.