Shloka 9

Matsya Purana — The Greatness of Prayaga: Manasa Tirtha

Devanagari script

गङ्गायमुनयोर्मध्ये कर्षाग्निं यस्तु साधयेत् अहीनाङ्गो ह्यरोगश्च पञ्चेन्द्रियसमन्वितः //

Transliteration

gaṅgāyamunayormadhye karṣāgniṃ yastu sādhayet ahīnāṅgo hyarogaśca pañcendriyasamanvitaḥ //

Translation

Whoever performs the austerity called “karṣāgni” in the land between the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā becomes free from bodily defect and disease, and remains endowed with all five senses.

Word by Word

गङ्गायमुनयोर्मध्येbetween the Gaṅgā and the Yamunā (in the doab)

कर्षाग्निम्the austerity/observance named karṣāgni (a specific tapas involving fire/heat discipline)

यः तुwhoever indeed

साधयेत्performs/accomplishes

अहीनाङ्गःhaving no deficient limb, free from bodily deformity

हिindeed

अरो॒गः चand free from disease

पञ्चेन्द्रिय-समन्वितःendowed with the five sense-faculties (complete sensory capacity).

Speaker

Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the फलश्रुति (results) of a vrata/tapas in a sacred region

Entities Mentioned

GaṅgāYamunā

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya or cosmology; it is a phalaśruti passage stating the bodily and sensory benefits gained by performing a specific austerity (karṣāgni) in the Gaṅgā–Yamunā region.

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

It aligns with the householder ethic of undertaking regulated vows and austerities at tīrthas for purification and well-being; it presents disciplined tapas as a legitimate dhārmic means to maintain health, integrity of the body, and full functioning of the senses.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is ritual rather than architectural: it highlights a named observance (karṣāgni) and locates its efficacy specifically in the sacred Gaṅgā–Yamunā doab, emphasizing place-based merit (tīrtha-prabhāva).