Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayaga: Manasa Tirtha

Devanagari script

गवां शतसहस्रस्य सम्यग्दत्तस्य यत्फलम् प्रयागे माघमासे तु त्र्यहस्नानात्तु तत्फलम् //

Transliteration

gavāṃ śatasahasrasya samyagdattasya yatphalam prayāge māghamāse tu tryahasnānāttu tatphalam //

Translation

Whatever merit arises from properly gifting one hundred thousand cows—that very merit is obtained by bathing for three days at Prayāga during the month of Māgha.

Word by Word

• gavām: of cows

• śata-sahasrasya: of one hundred thousand

• samyak: properly, in the prescribed manner

• dattasy(a): of (that which is) given/donated

• yat-phalam: whatever fruit (merit/result)

• prayāge: at Prayāga (the sacred confluence)

• māgha-māse: in the month of Māgha

• tu: indeed

• tri-aha-snānāt: from bathing for three days

• tat-phalam: that same fruit/merit

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s tirtha-mahatmya narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Prayaga
• Magha (month)
• Go-dana (cow-gift)

Tags

• Tirtha-Mahatmya
• Prayaga
• Magha-Snana
• Dana
• Ritual-Bathing

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it belongs to tirtha-mahātmya and teaches that pilgrimage-bathing at Prayāga in Māgha yields immense religious merit comparable to major gifts.

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

It frames an accessible dharmic alternative to costly charity: a householder (or king) who cannot perform massive go-dāna can still gain equivalent merit through disciplined, rule-based bathing at a major tirtha during Māgha.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual point is snāna-vidhi: a three-day bath (try-aha-snāna) at Prayāga in Māgha is presented as a high-yield observance, emphasizing correct timing (Māgha) and sacred location (Prayāga).