Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayaga and Allied Tirthas

Devanagari script

प्रयागं समधिष्ठानं कम्बलाश्वतरावुभौ भोगवत्यथ या चैषा वेदिरेषा प्रजापतेः //

Transliteration

prayāgaṃ samadhiṣṭhānaṃ kambalāśvatarāvubhau bhogavatyatha yā caiṣā vedireṣā prajāpateḥ //

Translation

Prayāga is the supreme sacred seat; so too are both Kambala and Aśvatara, and Bhogavatī; and also this altar (vedī) of Prajāpati.

Word by Word

• prayāgam: Prayāga (the sacred confluence)

• samadhiṣṭhānam: the chief/most-established seat, principal sacred abode

• kambala-aśvatarau ubhau: both (the sacred sites/beings named) Kambala and Aśvatara

• bhogavatī: Bhogavatī (a holy place/region associated with Nāgas)

• atha: and then/also

• yā ca eṣā: and this which is

• vedī: altar, sacrificial platform

• eṣā: this

• prajāpateḥ: of Prajāpati (the Lord of creatures, often identified with Brahmā in Purāṇic usage).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this tirtha section)

Entities Mentioned

• Prayaga
• Kambala
• Asvatara
• Bhogavati
• Prajapati

Tags

• Tirtha-Mahatmya
• Prayaga
• Sacred Geography
• Vedi
• Pilgrimage

FAQs

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

This verse is not a pralaya description; it functions as tīrtha-mahātmya, naming Prayāga and related sacred loci as supremely established holy seats connected with Prajāpati’s ritual altar.

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

By highlighting foremost pilgrimage-centers, it supports the Purāṇic duty of rulers and householders to honor tīrthas—through pilgrimage, charity, and sacrifice—thereby sustaining dharma and social-religious order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key ritual term is “vedī” (altar/platform), indicating a consecrated sacrificial locus associated with Prajāpati—implying the primacy of properly established altars and sanctioned sacred sites for yajña and rites.