Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

अश्वमेधफलं तस्मिन् स्नानमात्रेण भारत यावच्चन्द्रश्च सूर्यश्च तावत्स्वर्गे महीयते //

Transliteration

aśvamedhaphalaṃ tasmin snānamātreṇa bhārata yāvaccandraśca sūryaśca tāvatsvarge mahīyate //

Translation

O Bhārata, by bathing there alone one gains the fruit of an Aśvamedha sacrifice; and as long as the moon and the sun endure, so long is one honored in heaven.

Word by Word

• अश्वमेध-फलं: the reward of the Aśvamedha sacrifice

• तस्मिन्: in that (sacred place/ford)

• स्नान-मात्रेण: by bathing alone (merely by the act of ritual bath)

• भारत: O Bhārata (descendant of Bharata)

• यावत्: as long as

• चन्द्रः: the moon

• च: and

• सूर्यः: the sun

• च: and

• तावत्: for that long/so long

• स्वर्गे: in heaven

• महीयते: is honored, is highly revered

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (vocative ‘Bhārata’ used as an honorific lineage address in Purāṇic narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Aśvamedha
• Svarga
• Candra
• Sūrya

Tags

• Tirtha
• Snana
• Yajna-phala
• Svarga
• Punya

FAQs

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

It does not discuss pralaya; it teaches tirtha-mahātmya—how a sacred bath can confer immense ritual merit comparable to major sacrifices.

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

It elevates accessible dharma: instead of only costly royal rites like Aśvamedha, even householders (and kings) can gain great punya through prescribed pilgrimage and ritual bathing at an authorized tirtha.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is snāna (tirtha-bath) as a complete merit-bearing act; the verse implies the primacy of properly recognized sacred bathing spots in Purāṇic ritual practice, rather than temple architecture.