Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayaga and Allied Tirthas

Devanagari script

त्रीणि चाप्यग्निकुण्डानि येषां मध्ये तु जाह्नवी प्रयागादभिनिष्क्रान्ता सर्वतीर्थनमस्कृता //

Transliteration

trīṇi cāpyagnikuṇḍāni yeṣāṃ madhye tu jāhnavī prayāgādabhiniṣkrāntā sarvatīrthanamaskṛtā //

Translation

There are also three Agni-kuṇḍas (sacred fire-pits); and in their midst flows the Jāhnavī (Gaṅgā). Emerging from Prayāga, she is revered—one to whom all tīrthas (holy fords) offer homage.

Word by Word

• त्रीणि (trīṇi): three

• च (ca): and

• अपि (api): also

• अग्निकुण्डानि (agnikuṇḍāni): fire-pits, ritual fire-basins

• येषाम् (yeṣām): of which/whose

• मध्ये (madhye): in the middle, amidst

• तु (tu): indeed

• जाह्नवी (jāhnavī): the Jāhnavī, i.e., the river Gaṅgā

• प्रयागात् (prayāgāt): from Prayāga (Allahabad/Prayagraj, the confluence)

• अभिनिष्क्रान्ता (abhiniṣkrāntā): having come forth, having emerged

• सर्वतीर्थनमस्कृता (sarvatīrtha-namaskṛtā): saluted by all tīrthas / one whom all sacred places bow to

Speaker

• Suta (Pauranika narrator) recounting the Matsya Purana’s tirtha-mahatmya narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Jahnavi (Ganga)
• Prayaga
• Agni-kunda (ritual fire-pits)
• Tirthas (sacred fords)

Tags

• Tirtha-Mahatmya
• Prayaga
• Ganga
• Ritual
• Sacred Geography

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to tīrtha-mahātmya, praising Prayāga and the Gaṅgā’s sanctity, presenting her as supreme among sacred places.

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

It supports the dharma of pilgrimage and ritual merit: a householder or ruler gains religious merit by honoring major tīrthas like Prayāga and venerating the Gaṅgā, integrating public piety with personal vows and offerings.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The mention of three agni-kuṇḍas points to a ritual landscape—designated fire-altars/basins used for offerings—indicating that sacred sites are marked not only by rivers but also by structured yajña installations.