Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — The Glory of Prayaga: Pilgrimage

Devanagari script

*मार्कण्डेय उवाच कथयिष्यामि ते वत्स यच्छ्रेष्ठं तत्र यत्फलम् पुरा हि सर्वविप्राणां कथ्यमानं मया श्रुतम् //

Transliteration

*mārkaṇḍeya uvāca kathayiṣyāmi te vatsa yacchreṣṭhaṃ tatra yatphalam purā hi sarvaviprāṇāṃ kathyamānaṃ mayā śrutam //

Translation

Mārkaṇḍeya said: “Dear child, I shall tell you what is the best among them and what fruit arises from it. For long ago I heard it being expounded for the benefit of all brāhmaṇas.”

Word by Word

• मार्कण्डेयः: Mārkaṇḍeya

• उवाच: said

• कथयिष्यामि: I will narrate/tell

• ते: to you

• वत्स: dear child

• यत्: that which

• श्रेष्ठम्: the best/supreme

• तत्र: among those/in that matter

• यत् फलम्: what result/fruit

• पुरा: formerly/long ago

• हि: indeed

• सर्व-विप्राणाम्: of all brāhmaṇas/learned priests

• कथ्यमानम्: being explained/being spoken

• मया: by me/I

• श्रुतम्: heard

Speaker

• Markandeya

Entities Mentioned

• Markandeya
• Vipras (Brahmanas)

Tags

• Dana
• Vrata
• Tirtha
• Phala-shruti
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it functions as a transition where Mārkaṇḍeya introduces a teaching on the “best” practice and its resulting merit (phala).

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

It frames dharma as something to be learned through authoritative transmission (śruti/teachings) and points toward guidance on the most excellent rite—typically relevant to householders and rulers who support brāhmaṇas and uphold religious observances.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu or iconographic rule is stated in this verse; the ritual significance is introductory—announcing an upcoming explanation of a supreme rite/observance and its phala.