Shloka 13

Matsya Purana — The Glory of Prayaga: Pilgrimage

Devanagari script

पञ्च कुण्डानि राजेन्द्र तेषां मध्ये तु जाह्नवी प्रयागस्य प्रवेशे तु पापं नश्यति तत्क्षणात् //

Transliteration

pañca kuṇḍāni rājendra teṣāṃ madhye tu jāhnavī prayāgasya praveśe tu pāpaṃ naśyati tatkṣaṇāt //

Translation

O best of kings, there are five sacred ponds (kuṇḍas); among them is the river Jāhnavī (Gaṅgā). Upon entering Prayāga, sin is destroyed at that very instant.

Word by Word

• पञ्च (pañca): five

• कुण्डानि (kuṇḍāni): sacred ponds/pools

• राजेन्द्र (rājendra): O lord of kings

• तेषां (teṣāṃ): of them

• मध्ये (madhye): among/in the midst

• तु (tu): indeed

• जाह्नवी (jāhnavī): Jāhnavī, the Gaṅgā

• प्रयागस्य (prayāgasya): of Prayāga

• प्रवेशे (praveśe): upon entering/at entry

• पापं (pāpaṃ): sin/evil karma

• नश्यति (naśyati): is destroyed/perishes

• तत्क्षणात् (tatkṣaṇāt): at that very moment/instantly

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) conveying the Matsya Purana’s tirtha-mahatmya teaching to the assembled sages

Entities Mentioned

• Prayaga
• Jahnavi (Ganga)
• Kunda (sacred pond)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Prayaga
• Ganga
• Pilgrimage
• Punya

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on tirtha-mahātmya—how sacred places like Prayāga purify moral impurity (pāpa) through pilgrimage.

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

By addressing “rājendra,” the text frames pilgrimage as a dharmic act for rulers and householders alike—seeking purification and merit to support righteous governance and ethical living.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual emphasis is on kuṇḍas (sacred water-bodies) and the act of entering Prayāga; it highlights water-based purification rites associated with Gaṅgā (Jāhnavī) and pilgrimage thresholds.