Shloka 50

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

Devanagari script

यत्र गङ्गा महाभागा बहुतीर्था तपोधना सिद्धक्षेत्रं हि तज्ज्ञेयं नात्र कार्या विचारणा //

Transliteration

yatra gaṅgā mahābhāgā bahutīrthā tapodhanā siddhakṣetraṃ hi tajjñeyaṃ nātra kāryā vicāraṇā //

Translation

Where the greatly fortunate Gaṅgā flows—abounding in many tīrthas and endowed with spiritual potency through austerity (tapas)—that place should be known as a Siddha-kṣetra, a perfected sacred field; no further deliberation is needed.

Word by Word

• yatra: where

• gaṅgā: the river Ganga

• mahābhāgā: greatly fortunate/most auspicious

• bahu-tīrthā: having many tīrthas/holy crossing-places

• tapaḥ-dhanā: rich in austerity, possessing the wealth of tapas

• siddha-kṣetram: a perfected holy region, a place where spiritual attainments are accomplished

• hi: indeed

• tat: that

• jñeyam: should be known/recognized

• na atra: not here/there is no need here

• kāryā: to be done/required

• vicāraṇā: consideration, scrutiny, further inquiry.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in dialogue with Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Gaṅgā

Tags

• Tirtha
• Ganga
• Siddha-Kshetra
• Pilgrimage
• Punya

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; instead, it frames Gaṅgā’s presence as a timeless spiritual marker—where she is, the land is inherently a siddha-kṣetra, implying sanctity that transcends ordinary time and circumstance.

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

It supports the dharmic duty of honoring tīrthas: a householder may undertake pilgrimage and ritual bathing for purification, while a king is encouraged to protect such sacred regions and facilitate access to them as part of public dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it elevates Gaṅgā-adjacent sites as automatically fit for tīrtha practices (snāna, tarpaṇa, japa, dāna). Architecturally, it implies that shrines, ghāṭas, and pilgrimage infrastructure near Gaṅgā are especially meritorious due to the site’s siddha-kṣetra status.