Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayaga: Manasa Tirtha

Devanagari script

अकामो वा सकामो वा गङ्गायां यो ऽभिपद्यते मृतस्तु लभते स्वर्गं नरकं च न पश्यति //

Transliteration

akāmo vā sakāmo vā gaṅgāyāṃ yo 'bhipadyate mṛtastu labhate svargaṃ narakaṃ ca na paśyati //

Translation

Whether one is free of desires or full of desires, whoever enters the Gaṅgā—upon death—attains heaven and does not behold hell.

Word by Word

• akāmaḥ: free from desires

• vā: or

• sakāmaḥ: desirous/with worldly wishes

• vā: or

• gaṅgāyām: in the (river) Ganga

• yaḥ: whoever

• abhipadyate: enters/approaches/takes refuge in

• mṛtaḥ tu: and when dead/after death

• labhate: obtains/attains

• svargam: heaven

• narakam: hell

• ca: and

• na paśyati: does not see/behold

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Ganga

Tags

• Tirtha
• Ganga
• Punya
• Afterlife
• Dharma

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it focuses on tirtha-mahātmyā—how contact with the Ganga affects post-death destiny by removing the experience of naraka (hell).

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

It supports the dharmic ideal that rulers and householders should uphold and facilitate access to sacred rivers and pilgrimages; regardless of personal motive (desireless or desirous), approaching the Ganga is presented as a powerful meritorious act.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or temple-architecture rule appears here; the ritual takeaway is the exceptional purifying status of the Ganga as a tirtha, implying practices like bathing, worship, and final rites near the river as highly meritorious.