Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayaga: Manasa Tirtha

Devanagari script

मानसं नाम तत्तीर्थं गङ्गाया उत्तरे तटे त्रिरात्रोपोषितो भूत्वा सर्वकामानवाप्नुयात् //

Transliteration

mānasaṃ nāma tattīrthaṃ gaṅgāyā uttare taṭe trirātropoṣito bhūtvā sarvakāmānavāpnuyāt //

Translation

There is a sacred ford named Mānasā on the northern bank of the Gaṅgā. Having observed a fast there for three nights, one attains the fulfillment of all desired aims.

Word by Word

• मानसम् (mānasam): ‘Mānasā’ (name of a tīrtha)

• नाम (nāma): named/called

• तत्-तीर्थम् (tat-tīrtham): that sacred ford/pilgrimage place

• गङ्गायाः (gaṅgāyāḥ): of the Gaṅgā

• उत्तरे (uttare): on the northern

• तटे (taṭe): bank/shore

• त्रिरात्र-उपोषितः (trirātra-upoṣitaḥ): having fasted for three nights

• भूत्वा (bhūtvā): having become/having done

• सर्व-कामान् (sarva-kāmān): all desires/aims

• अवाप्नुयात् (avāpnuyāt): would obtain/attain.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu in a tīrtha-mahātmya sequence)

Entities Mentioned

• Gaṅgā
• Mānasā Tīrtha

Tags

• Tirtha
• Ganga
• Vrata
• Upavasa
• Phala-shruti

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it belongs to a tīrtha-māhātmya passage, emphasizing the spiritual efficacy (phala) of fasting at a specific Gaṅgā tīrtha.

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

It recommends a disciplined vow (three-night fast) at a sacred place—an actionable dharmic practice for householders and rulers alike, aligning personal desires with ritual restraint and pilgrimage merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is trirātra-upavāsa (a three-night fast) performed at Mānasā Tīrtha on the Gaṅgā’s northern bank; no vastu/temple-building rule is stated in this verse.