Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayāga

Devanagari script

तेन दानेन दत्तेन योगं नाभ्येति मानवः प्रयागे तु मृतस्येदं सर्वं भवति नान्यथा //

Transliteration

tena dānena dattena yogaṃ nābhyeti mānavaḥ prayāge tu mṛtasyedaṃ sarvaṃ bhavati nānyathā //

Translation

By that act of charity—though duly given—a person does not attain the supreme spiritual union (yoga). But for one who dies at Prayāga, all this (highest merit and spiritual attainment) indeed comes to pass—there is no other outcome.

Word by Word

• tena: by that

• dānena: by charity/gift

• dattena: (even) when given

• yogam: yoga, spiritual union/liberation-oriented attainment

• na: not

• abhyeti: reaches/attains

• mānavaḥ: a human being

• prayāge: at Prayāga

• tu: but/indeed

• mṛtasya: of one who has died

• idam: this

• sarvam: all (of it), the whole result

• bhavati: becomes/occurs

• na anyathā: not otherwise

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Prayaga
• Mānava (human being)

Tags

• Prayaga
• Tirtha-Mahatmya
• Dana
• Moksha
• Yoga

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on tirtha-mahātmya—stating that Prayāga uniquely grants the highest spiritual result at death, beyond what ordinary charity alone yields.

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

It differentiates ordinary meritorious duty (dāna/charity, a key householder and royal obligation) from direct liberative attainment, emphasizing that pilgrimage and sacred-place observances are also recognized means toward the highest goal in the Matsya Purana’s ethics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or iconography rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is the exceptional salvific status of Prayāga as a tirtha, implying heightened efficacy of rites and final rites performed there.