Shloka 49

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

Devanagari script

कुरुक्षेत्रसमा गङ्गा यत्र यत्रावगाह्यते कुरुक्षेत्राद्दशगुणा यत्र विन्ध्येन संगता //

Transliteration

kurukṣetrasamā gaṅgā yatra yatrāvagāhyate kurukṣetrāddaśaguṇā yatra vindhyena saṃgatā //

Translation

Wherever the Gaṅgā is entered for a sacred bath, she is equal in merit to Kurukṣetra; and where she meets the Vindhya, she becomes tenfold more meritorious than Kurukṣetra.

Word by Word

• कुरुक्षेत्र-समा: equal to Kurukṣetra (in sanctity/merit)

• गङ्गा: the river Gaṅgā

• यत्र यत्र: wherever

• अवगाह्यते: is bathed in/entered (for ablution)

• कुरुक्षेत्रात्: than Kurukṣetra

• दश-गुणा: tenfold (in merit)

• यत्र: where

• विन्ध्येन: with the Vindhya (region/mountain)

• संगता: joined/met/merged

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in dialogue instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a tīrtha-māhātmya discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Gaṅgā
• Kurukṣetra
• Vindhya

Tags

• Tirtha-Mahatmya
• Ganga
• Kurukshetra
• Sacred Bath
• Pilgrimage Merit

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on tīrtha-māhātmya—how sacred merit (puṇya) accrues through bathing in the Gaṅgā, with special emphasis on confluences.

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

It guides householders (and rulers who model dharma) toward pilgrimage discipline: performing Gaṅgā-snān (ritual bathing) at sanctified locations is presented as a powerful dharmic act that supports personal purification and public religious culture.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is Gaṅgā-avagāha (sacred immersion). The verse also highlights the enhanced potency of a saṅgama (meeting-point), a key principle behind establishing ghāṭs, tīrtha-sites, and ritual bathing steps near confluences.