Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayāga

Devanagari script

शृणु प्रयागमाहात्म्यं यथादृष्टं यथाश्रुतम् प्रत्यक्षं च परोक्षं च यथान्यस्तं भविष्यति //

Transliteration

śṛṇu prayāgamāhātmyaṃ yathādṛṣṭaṃ yathāśrutam pratyakṣaṃ ca parokṣaṃ ca yathānyastaṃ bhaviṣyati //

Translation

Listen to the greatness (māhātmya) of Prayāga, as it has been seen and as it has been heard—both what is directly known and what is known indirectly—exactly as it has been set down in tradition, and as it shall be recounted.

Word by Word

• śṛṇu: listen

• prayāga-māhātmyam: the glory/sanctifying greatness of Prayāga

• yathā-dṛṣṭam: as seen, as witnessed

• yathā-śrutam: as heard, as received by tradition

• pratyakṣam: direct/perceptible (evidence)

• ca: and

• parokṣam: indirect/not directly perceived

• ca: and

• yathā-anyastam (yathā-nyastam): as placed/arranged, as recorded

• bhaviṣyati: will be, will come to be (i.e., will be told/expounded).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual narrator voice of the Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Prayaga

Tags

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

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it establishes an authoritative mode of narration—combining witnessed (pratyakṣa) and traditional/heard (parokṣa, śruta) accounts—before beginning the Prayāga sacred-history section.

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

It frames dharmic practice through reliable transmission: a king or householder is encouraged to follow tīrtha-related duties (pilgrimage, vows, charity) based on both tested experience and established śāstric tradition, rather than whim.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No specific Vāstu or temple rule appears in this verse; its ritual significance is preparatory—announcing a tīrtha-māhātmya discourse that typically guides pilgrimage rites, bathing procedures, and merit-producing observances at Prayāga.