Shloka 48

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

Devanagari script

चतुर्वेदेषु यत्पुण्यं यत्पुण्यं सत्यवादिषु अहिंसायां तु यो धर्मो गमनादेव तत्फलम् //

Transliteration

caturvedeṣu yatpuṇyaṃ yatpuṇyaṃ satyavādiṣu ahiṃsāyāṃ tu yo dharmo gamanādeva tatphalam //

Translation

Whatever merit is found in the four Vedas, whatever merit belongs to the truthful, and whatever righteousness lies in non-violence (ahiṃsā)—one attains that very fruit merely by setting forth on the pilgrimage journey.

Word by Word

• चतुर्वेदेषु (caturvedeṣu): in the four Vedas

• यत् (yat): whatever

• पुण्यं (puṇyam): merit, sacred reward

• यत् पुण्यं (yat puṇyam): whatever merit

• सत्यवादिषु (satyavādiṣu): among truth-speakers, the truthful

• अहिंसायाम् (ahiṃsāyām): in non-violence

• तु (tu): indeed/but

• यः (yaḥ): which/that

• धर्मः (dharmaḥ): dharma, righteousness

• गमनात् (gamanāt): from going, by the act of journeying

• एव (eva): alone/just

• तत् (tat): that

• फलम् (phalam): fruit, result

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextually within the Matsya Purana’s Manu–Matsya dialogue framework)

Entities Mentioned

• Chaturveda (Four Vedas)
• Satya (Truthfulness)
• Ahimsa (Non-violence)

Tags

• Dharma
• Tirtha Yatra
• Punya
• Ahimsa
• Satya

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya directly; it emphasizes dharma and the extraordinary merit (puṇya) attributed to pilgrimage—placing it on par with Vedic merit, truthfulness, and non-violence.

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

It frames pilgrimage (tīrtha-yātrā) as a potent dharmic practice accessible to householders and rulers alike, complementing core virtues—satya (truth) and ahiṃsā (non-harm)—that are central to righteous governance and daily conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or iconographic rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is that the act of going on pilgrimage itself is presented as a powerful rite yielding merit comparable to major ethical and scriptural accomplishments.