Shloka 56

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

Devanagari script

पवित्राणां पवित्रं च मङ्गलानां च मङ्गलम् महेश्वरशिरोभ्रष्टा सर्वपापहरा शुभा //

Transliteration

pavitrāṇāṃ pavitraṃ ca maṅgalānāṃ ca maṅgalam maheśvaraśirobhraṣṭā sarvapāpaharā śubhā //

Translation

She is the purest among all purifiers, and the most auspicious among all auspicious things. Fallen from the head of Maheśvara (Śiva), she is благessing itself, removing every sin.

Word by Word

• पवित्राणाम्: of purifiers/sanctifiers

• पवित्रम्: the purest purifier

• च: and

• मङ्गलानाम्: of auspicious things

• मङ्गलम्: the most auspicious

• महेश्वर: Maheshvara (Śiva)

• शिरः: head

• भ्रष्टा: fallen/descended

• सर्व: all

• पाप: sins/evil deeds

• हरा: remover/destroyer

• शुभा: auspicious, beneficent

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the praised sacred purifier (commonly understood as Gaṅgā in Purāṇic usage)

Entities Mentioned

• Maheshvara (Shiva)
• Ganga (implied)

Tags

• Tirtha-Mahatmya
• Ganga
• Purification
• Sin-removal
• Auspiciousness

FAQs

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

This verse is not about cosmic dissolution; it praises a sacred, heaven-descended purifier (classically Gaṅgā) whose power is to cleanse sin and confer auspiciousness.

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

It supports the Matsya Purana’s ethic of śauca (purity): rulers and householders are enjoined to seek purification and merit through sacred rites and association with tirthas, cultivating moral conduct and expiation of faults.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it underlines tirtha-snāna (holy bathing) and the use of sacred water for purification—core to consecrations (abhiṣeka), expiations (prāyaścitta), and auspicious ceremonies.