Shloka 32

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

Devanagari script

उत्तरेण प्रतिष्ठानाद् भागीरथ्यास्तु पूर्वतः हंसप्रपतनं नाम तीर्थं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम् //

Transliteration

uttareṇa pratiṣṭhānād bhāgīrathyāstu pūrvataḥ haṃsaprapatanaṃ nāma tīrthaṃ trailokyaviśrutam //

Translation

To the north of Pratiṣṭhāna, and to the east of the Bhāgīrathī, lies the sacred ford called Haṃsaprapatana—celebrated throughout the three worlds.

Word by Word

• उत्तरेण (uttareṇa): to the north of

• प्रतिष्ठानात् (pratiṣṭhānāt): from/relative to Pratiṣṭhāna (Pratiṣṭhān/Prayāga-region city)

• भागीरथ्याः (bhāgīrathyāḥ): of the Bhāgīrathī (Gaṅgā)

• तु (tu): and/indeed

• पूर्वतः (pūrvataḥ): to the east of

• हंसप्रपतनम् (haṃsaprapatanam): Haṃsaprapatana (name of a tīrtha

• नाम (nāma): named/called

• तीर्थम् (tīrtham): sacred ford, pilgrimage-place

• त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम् (trailokya-viśrutam): renowned in the three worlds

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s tirtha descriptions)

Entities Mentioned

• Pratiṣṭhāna
• Bhāgīrathī (Gaṅgā)
• Haṃsaprapatana Tīrtha
• Trailokya (three worlds)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Geography
• Pilgrimage
• Prayaga Region
• River Gaṅgā

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it belongs to a tīrtha-māhātmya style passage mapping sacred geography and identifying a famed pilgrimage site.

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

By naming and locating a renowned tīrtha, the verse supports the Purāṇic ethic that householders (and kings who set public religious standards) should honor sacred places through pilgrimage, charity, and ritual bathing—acts believed to uphold dharma and social merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it indicates a designated tīrtha suitable for pilgrimage practices (especially snāna—sacred bathing). Architecturally, no specific vāstu or temple-building rule is stated, but such tīrthas commonly anchor shrines, ghāṭas, and regulated ritual spaces in Purāṇic tradition.