Shloka 2
Glorification of the Yamunā (Yamuna Mahatmya) and Prayāga’s Step-by-Step Aśvamedha Merit
मार्कंडेय उवाच । शृणु राजन्प्रयागे तु अनाशकफलं विभो । प्राप्नोति पुरुषो धीमान्श्रद्दधानश्च यादृशम्
mārkaṃḍeya uvāca | śṛṇu rājanprayāge tu anāśakaphalaṃ vibho | prāpnoti puruṣo dhīmānśraddadhānaśca yādṛśam
Маркандейя сказал: Слушай, о царь. В Праяге, о владыка, какой нетленный плод обретает постом мудрый и исполненный веры человек — я поведаю тебе как есть.
Mārkaṇḍeya
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
Type: tirtha
Sandhi Resolution Notes: राजन् + प्रयागे → राजन्प्रयागे (न् + प् → न्प्); धीमान् + श्रद्दधानः → धीमान्श्रद्दधानः (न् + श् → ंश्); श्रद्दधानः + च → श्रद्दधानश्च (ः + च → श्च)
FAQs
The verse introduces the topic of anāśaka/upavāsa (fasting or abstaining from food) performed at the sacred tīrtha of Prayāga, and the spiritual “fruit” gained from it.
The verse frames the practice as most meaningful when done with discernment and sincere faith, implying that inner attitude and understanding shape the spiritual outcome of the observance.
Sacred acts like fasting are presented not merely as physical austerities but as faith-informed disciplines undertaken at holy places, pointing to intentional, sincere practice rather than empty ritual.