Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — The Glory of Prayaga: Pilgrimage

Devanagari script

गङ्गायमुनयोर्मध्ये स्नातो मुच्येत किल्बिषात् मनसा चिन्तयन्कामान् अवाप्नोति सुपुष्कलान् //

Transliteration

gaṅgāyamunayormadhye snāto mucyeta kilbiṣāt manasā cintayankāmān avāpnoti supuṣkalān //

Translation

One who bathes in the space between the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā is freed from sin; and by mentally contemplating one’s desired aims, one attains those wishes in abundant measure.

Word by Word

• गङ्गा-यमुनयोः: of the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā

• मध्ये: in the middle/between

• स्नातः: having bathed

• मुच्येत: is released/freed

• किल्बिषात्: from sin/impurity

• मनसा: with the mind/mentally

• चिन्तयन्: contemplating/meditating upon

• कामान्: desires/wishes/objects of desire

• अवाप्नोति: obtains/attains

• सुपुष्कलान्: very plentiful/abundant/great.

Speaker

• Likely Sūta narrating the Matsya Purāṇa’s tīrtha-māhātmya (traditional purāṇic narrator voice; not a direct Matsya–Manu dialogue in this verse).

Entities Mentioned

• Gaṅgā
• Yamunā

Tags

• Tirtha
• Snana
• Punya
• Purification
• Pilgrimage

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on tīrtha-māhātmya—purificatory merit gained through sacred bathing and mental intention.

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

It supports the householder/kingly dharma of periodic purification and pilgrimage: bathing at renowned tīrthas is presented as a means to remove moral impurity and to pursue legitimate aims through disciplined intention.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is snāna (sacred bathing) at the Gaṅgā–Yamunā region; no vāstu/temple-building rule is stated, but the verse underscores tīrtha-based rites for purification and merit.