Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayaga and the Supremacy of Cow-Donation

Devanagari script

*मार्कण्डेय उवाच शृणु राजन्प्रयागस्य माहात्म्यं पुनरेव तु यच्छ्रुत्वा सर्वपापेभ्यो मुच्यते नात्र संशयः //

Transliteration

*mārkaṇḍeya uvāca śṛṇu rājanprayāgasya māhātmyaṃ punareva tu yacchrutvā sarvapāpebhyo mucyate nātra saṃśayaḥ //

Translation

Mārkaṇḍeya said: Listen, O King, once again to the greatness of Prayāga—hearing which one is freed from all sins; of this there is no doubt.

Word by Word

• मार्कण्डेयः: Mārkaṇḍeya

• उवाच: said

• शृणु: listen

• राजन्: O king

• प्रयागस्य: of Prayāga

• माहात्म्यम्: greatness, sacred glory

• पुनः एव तु: again indeed

• यत्: which

• श्रुत्वा: having heard

• सर्वपापेभ्यः: from all sins

• मुच्यते: is liberated/freed

• न अत्र संशयः: there is no doubt here

Speaker

• Markandeya Rishi

Entities Mentioned

• Markandeya
• Prayaga
• King (Rajan)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Prayaga
• Mahatmya
• Punya
• Papakshaya

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it introduces the tirtha-māhātmya of Prayāga and emphasizes that hearing its glory removes sin.

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

By addressing the listener as “O King,” the verse frames pilgrimage-hearing (śravaṇa of sacred teachings) as a royal and household duty for moral purification and dharmic governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No architectural rule is stated here; the ritual takeaway is that śravaṇa (devout hearing) of Prayāga’s māhātmya itself is treated as a purifying act that destroys sin.