Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayaga and Allied Tirthas

Devanagari script

*मार्कण्डेय उवाच शृणु राजन्प्रयागस्य माहात्म्यं पुनरेव तु नैमिषं पुष्करं चैव गोतीर्थं सिन्धुसागरम् //

Transliteration

*mārkaṇḍeya uvāca śṛṇu rājanprayāgasya māhātmyaṃ punareva tu naimiṣaṃ puṣkaraṃ caiva gotīrthaṃ sindhusāgaram //

Translation

Mārkaṇḍeya said: Listen, O King—once again I shall relate the sacred greatness (māhātmya) of Prayāga, as well as that of Naimiṣa, Puṣkara, Go-tīrtha, and the ocean at the mouth of the Sindhu.

Word by Word

• mārkaṇḍeyaḥ: Markandeya (the sage)

• uvāca: said

• śṛṇu: listen

• rājan: O King

• prayāgasya: of Prayaga

• māhātmyam: greatness, sacred glory

• punar eva tu: again indeed

• naimiṣam: Naimisha (tirtha/forest)

• puṣkaram: Pushkara (tirtha)

• ca eva: and also

• go-tīrtham: Go-tirtha (cow-related sacred ford/pilgrimage spot)

• sindhu-sāgaram: the Sindhu-sea, the ocean by/into which the Sindhu (Indus) flows

Speaker

• Sage Markandeya (Mārkaṇḍeya)

Entities Mentioned

• Markandeya
• Prayaga
• Naimisha
• Pushkara
• Go-tirtha
• Sindhu
• Ocean (Sagara)

Tags

• Tirtha Mahatmya
• Prayaga
• Pilgrimage
• Sacred Geography
• Punya

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya directly; it introduces a tīrtha-māhātmya section focused on the sanctity of pilgrimage places rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

By addressing the King and announcing the merits of revered tīrthas, the verse frames pilgrimage and reverence to sacred sites as part of righteous conduct (dharma) that rulers and householders may undertake for purification and merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is primary: it signals teachings on tīrtha-glory (pilgrimage rites, sanctifying baths, and sacred-site observances). No specific Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated in this verse.