Shloka 8

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

Devanagari script

गङ्गायमुनयोर्मध्ये यस्तु कन्यां प्रयच्छति आर्षेणैव विवाहेन यथाविभवसम्भवम् //

Transliteration

gaṅgāyamunayormadhye yastu kanyāṃ prayacchati ārṣeṇaiva vivāhena yathāvibhavasambhavam //

Translation

Whoever, in the region between the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā, gives a maiden in marriage according to the Ārṣa form, doing so in keeping with his means and capacity, is declared to gain exceedingly great merit.

Word by Word

• गङ्गायमुनयोर्मध्ये: between the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā (Doab region)

• यः तु: whoever indeed

• कन्याम्: a maiden/daughter

• प्रयच्छति: gives (in marriage)

• आर्षेण एव विवाहेन: by the Ārṣa form of marriage alone (sage-sanctioned rite)

• यथा-विभव-सम्भवम्: according to one’s resources/means and ability

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purāṇa’s dharma teaching, ultimately derived from Lord Matsya’s discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Gaṅgā
• Yamunā
• Ārṣa Vivāha

Tags

• Dāna-Dharma
• Kanyā-dāna
• Ārṣa Vivāha
• Tīrtha (Gaṅgā-Yamunā Doab)
• Gṛhastha Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it teaches dharma—specifically the merit of kanyā-dāna performed in a sacred region and via a sanctioned marriage form.

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

It frames a key gṛhastha duty: arranging a daughter’s marriage through an approved rite (Ārṣa vivāha) and performing the act within one’s means, emphasizing ethical, sustainable household practice.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: it highlights Ārṣa vivāha and the heightened merit of performing kanyā-dāna in the Gaṅgā–Yamunā sacred tract (tīrtha-kṣetra).