Shloka 4

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

Devanagari script

प्रयागतीर्थयात्रार्थी यः प्रयाति नरः क्वचित् बलीवर्दसमारूढः शृणु तस्यापि यत्फलम् //

Transliteration

prayāgatīrthayātrārthī yaḥ prayāti naraḥ kvacit balīvardasamārūḍhaḥ śṛṇu tasyāpi yatphalam //

Translation

Hear also the merit that accrues to a man who sets out from anywhere at all, intending a pilgrimage to the sacred tīrtha of Prayāga, even if he undertakes the journey riding upon a bull or ox.

Word by Word

• प्रयाग-तीर्थ-यात्रा-अर्थी: one who has the purpose/intention of a pilgrimage to the Prayāga holy ford

• यः: who

• प्रयाति: sets out, departs on a journey

• नरः: a man/person

• क्वचित्: anywhere/at some time (i.e., from wherever he may depart)

• बलीवर्द-समारूढः: mounted upon a bull/ox (as a conveyance)

• शृणु: hear (listen)

• तस्य-अपि: of him also/even for him

• यत्-फलम्: what fruit/result (merit) there is.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Prayaga
• Tirtha
• Balivarda (bull/ox)

Tags

• Tirtha-yatra
• Prayaga
• Pilgrimage
• Phala
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on tīrtha-yātrā (pilgrimage) and the spiritual merit gained by setting out toward Prayāga with sincere intent.

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

It frames pilgrimage as a dharmic act: even a householder (or ruler) gains merit by forming the intention and commencing the journey to a sacred place, emphasizing inner resolve and disciplined action.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is tīrtha-yātrā itself—undertaking travel to Prayāga as a sacred rite; no vāstu or temple-construction rule is mentioned in this specific verse.