Shloka 54

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

Devanagari script

सर्वत्र सुलभा गङ्गा त्रिषु स्थानेषु दुर्लभा गङ्गाद्वारे प्रयागे च गङ्गासागरसंगमे तत्र स्नात्वा दिवं यान्ति ये मृतास्ते ऽपुनर्भवाः //

Transliteration

sarvatra sulabhā gaṅgā triṣu sthāneṣu durlabhā gaṅgādvāre prayāge ca gaṅgāsāgarasaṃgame tatra snātvā divaṃ yānti ye mṛtāste 'punarbhavāḥ //

Translation

The Gaṅgā is easy to access in many places, yet she is truly rare in three sites in her highest potency: at Gaṅgādvāra, at Prayāga, and at the confluence where the Gaṅgā meets the ocean. Those who bathe there and then die attain heaven; they do not return again to rebirth.

Word by Word

• सर्वत्र: everywhere

• सुलभा: easily obtainable/accessible

• गङ्गा: the river Gaṅgā

• त्रिषु: in three

• स्थानेषु: places/sites

• दुर्लभा: difficult to obtain/rare (in special efficacy)

• गङ्गाद्वारे: at Gaṅgādvāra (the ‘Gate of the Gaṅgā’, traditionally Haridwar)

• प्रयागे: at Prayāga (Allahabad/Prayagraj, the great confluence)

• च: and

• गङ्गासागर-संगमे: at the meeting of Gaṅgā and the ocean (Gaṅgāsāgara)

• तत्र: there

• स्नात्वा: having bathed

• दिवम्: heaven

• यान्ति: they go/attain

• ये: those who

• मृताः: dead/having died

• ते: they

• अपुनर्भवाः: free from returning (non-rebirth).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu in the Matsya Purana dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Gaṅgā
• Gaṅgādvāra
• Prayāga
• Gaṅgāsāgara

Tags

• Tirtha
• Ganga Mahatmya
• Prayaga
• Haridwar
• Ritual Bath

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it presents a salvation-oriented tirtha teaching, emphasizing that certain sacred confluences of the Gaṅgā confer exceptional spiritual results beyond ordinary places.

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

It supports the householder/kingly duty of supporting dharma through pilgrimage, sacred bathing, and patronage of tirthas—promoting purity, merit, and liberation-oriented practice within worldly life.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights snāna (sacred bathing) at three premier tirthas—Gaṅgādvāra, Prayāga, and Gaṅgāsāgara—implying these sites are prime locations for ghāṭa use, vows, and pilgrimage observances.