Prayag or Prayaga

(A) Prayaga - Greatness (Page 1)
(B) Prayaga - from Matsya and Padma Purana (Page 2 - This Page)
(C) Prayaga - from Peetha Nirnaya Tantra (Page 3)
(D) Prayaga - from Valmiki Ramayana (Page 4)
(E) Prayaga - from Mahabharata (Page 5)
(F) Prayaga - Places to see (Page 6)

(B) Prayaga - from Matsya and Padma Purana:

• Conversation between Markandeya and Yudhisthira: A major part of Prayaga Mahatmya is obtained from the conversation of sage Markandeya and king Yudhisthira. After Yudhisthira becomes king, he falls into depression pondering on the death of the near and dear ones in the Mahabharata war and thinking of the uselessness of the kingdom without them. Sage Markandeya who was in Varanasi that time comes to know of the depressed state of Yudhisthira and comes to Hastinapura. Yudhisthira accords him a reverential welcome and then asks for a way to get relieved of his sins. Sage Markandeya says that no sins are accrued in Dharma Yuddha but tells about the glory of Prayaga Mandala which removes the sins of a person. Just by hearing about Prayaga, the mental burden of Yudhisthira eases and he decides to undertake pilgrimage to that holy place.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 103 to 111) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 40 to 48)

• Conversation between Lord Shiva and Narada: Another part of the glory of Prayaga is obtained from the conversation between Lord Shiva and Narada. Lord Shiva tells about the greatness of Prayaga to Narada specially referring to the rivers and Akshaya Vata.
(Ref: Padma Purana - Uttara Khanda - 23 to 24)

(B.1) Prayaga Mandala:

• Prayaga is specially protected by Vasava (Indra).
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 104) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 41)

• Hari protects the entire Prayaga Mandala accompanied by the devas.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 104) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 41)

• The region of the Prayaga which is protected by the Devas removes all sins and is auspicious. An Adharmic person cannot enter Prayaga. By remembering Prayaga, as well as by seeing it, glorifying it and touching its soil, the sins of a person gets destroyed.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 104) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 41)

• During the time of dissolution, when the whole universe is one with water, Lord Vishnu abides in Prayaga and performs yagna again and again.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

• Ten thousand renown Tirthas and six crore other Tirthas visit Prayaga.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106)

• The Prayaga Mandala is spread over an area of five yojanas.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 108) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 44)

• It is said that the entire universe abides in Prayaga where Brahma, Vishnu, Ishana and other Devatas abide.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 111)

• At the end of the Kalpa, Rudra destroys the entire universe but Prayaga does not get destroyed.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 111)

• Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva reside in Prayaga for protection and removing the sins of people. Lord Brahma lives in the north of Pratishthana. Lord Vishnu lives in the form of Beni Madhava. Lord Maheshwara lives in the form of Akshaya Vata. All Devas with Gandharvas, Siddhas and Rishis protect Prayaga and remove the sins. Prayaga is Prajapati Kshetra.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 111) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 48)

• Prayaga is the Tirtha Raja (King of Tirthas) whose two arms are adorned with white and darks rivers Ganga and Yamuna like two chamaras (fly-whisks), and which is shaded by Akshaya Vata like a chatra (umbrella).
(Ref: Padma Purana - Uttara Khanda - 23)

(B.2) Prajapati Kshetra:

• The region of Prayaga from Pratishthanapura to the Vasuki Hrada is known as Prajapati Kshetra. The Nagas like Kambala and Ashwatara reside in Prayaga.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 104) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 41)

(B.3) Akshaya Vata:

• Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva reside in Prayaga for protection and removing the sins of people. Lord Brahma lives in the north of Pratishthana. Lord Vishnu lives in the form of Beni Madhava. Lord Maheshwara lives in the form of Akshaya Vata. All Devas with Gandharvas, Siddhas and Rishis protect Prayaga and remove the sins. Prayaga is Prajapati Kshetra.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 111) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 48)

• The (Akshaya) Vata in Prayaga is always protected by Shulapani Maheshwara (i.e. Maheshwara with Trident in hand).
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 104) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 41)

• During the time of dissolution, the twelve Adityas under the refuge of Rudra, burn all the worlds but not the Akshaya Vata.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

• On the leaves of Akshaya Vat which remains even during the Kalpanta (when the universe is destroyed), abides Lord Vishnu. Hence it is termed as Avyaya (Imperishable). That Akshaya Vat is worshipped by the devotees of Vishnu by tying threads.
(Ref: Padma Purana - Uttara Khanda - 24)

(B.4) River Ganga:

• The river Ganga is protected in Prayaga by sixty thousand armed warriors.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 104) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 41)

• Wherever Ganga flows through many Tirthas, it should be considered as Siddhakshetra.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106)

• Ganga redeems Humans on Earth, Nagas in the Nether Worlds and Devas in Heaven. Hence Ganga is known as Tripathaga.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

• Ganga is easily accessible in many places but difficult of access in three places - Gangadwara, Prayaga and Ganga Sagara. By taking bath in these places people go to heaven. By meeting death in these places people are freed from rebirth.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

• Those whose minds are filled with sins and are struggling for redemption, there is no greater refuge than river Ganga.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

• The Ganga which has fallen from the head of Maheshwara, is the most pure among the pure and most auspicious among the auspicious.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

• The region around river Ganga in Prayaga is known as Siddhakshetra because of its spiritual glory.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 110) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 47)

(B.5) River Yamuna:

• The river Yamuna is protected in Prayaga by Savita who is mounted on a chariot with seven horses.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 104) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 41)

• The Nagas Kambala and Ashvatara live on the bank of river Yamuna on the southern bank.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

• The river Yamuna, the daughter of the Sun, has also come from the same source as Ganga.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 108) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 44)

(B.6) Confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna:

• A person who is truthful (Satyavadi), free from anger (Jitakrodha), follower of non-violence (Ahimsha) and follower of Dharma becomes free of all faults if he takes bath in the confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 104) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 41)

• Devas, Danavas, Gandharvas, Rishis, Siddhas and Charanas always visit the confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna. Hari abides there along with Prajapati.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

• During the month of Magha, sixty six thousand Tirthas assemble at the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 107) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 44)

• A person who takes bath in the confluence of rivers Ganga and Yamuna during Lunar Eclipse gets freed from all sins and earns great merit.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 107)

• The confluence of Ganga and Yamuna is considered as the hip (Jaghana) of the Earth (supporting the Earth).
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 110) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 47)

• Where the rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati meet, by taking bath and drinking its water, human beings attain Mukti. There is no doubt in this.
(Ref: Padma Purana - Uttara Khanda - 23)

• Those who bathe in Prayaga during the month of Magha, they obtain uncountable merits.
(Ref: Padma Purana - Uttara Khanda - 24)

(B.7) Yagna Kundas:

• There are five (Yagna) Kundas in Prayaga where Ganga resides. (Ref: Matsya Purana - 104) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 41)

• There are three Agni Kundas through which river Ganga flows through Prayaga. (Ref: Matsya Purana - 110) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 47)

(B.8) Tirthas:

• Samudra Koopa: On the eastern side of river Ganga there is a Samudra Koopa (Oceanic Well) which is near Pratishthana.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

• Hamsa Prapatana Tirtha: On the north of Pratishthana and on the eastern side of river Ganga there is a famous Tirtha known as Hamsaprapatana.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

• Urvashi Tirtha: One who performs oblations in Urvashi Tirtha earns great merit.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

• Kotitirtha: One who dies in Kotitirtha goes to heaven.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

• Dashashwamedha Tirtha: Near the Bhogavati and north of Vasuki is the Dashashwamedha Tirtha.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 106) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 43)

• Manasa Tirtha: On the northern bank of river Ganga is the Manasa Tirtha.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 107) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 44)

• Rinamochana Tirtha: On the south of Prayaga and on the northern bank of river Yamuna is the Rinamochana Tirtha.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 107) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 44)

• Agni Tirtha: On the southern bank of river Yamuna is the Agni Tirtha.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 108) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 44)

• Naraka Tirtha (or Haravara Tirtha): On the western bank of river Yamuna is the Naraka Tirtha (or Haravara Tirtha) of Dharmaraja.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 108) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 44)

• Niranjana Tirtha (or Viraja Tirtha): On the northern bank of Yamuna is the Niranjana Tirtha (or Viraja Tirtha) of Aditya.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 108) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 44)

• Bhogavati Tirtha: The Bhogavati Tirtha is the (Yagna) Vedi of Prajapati. There the Vedas and Yagnas assume embodied forms. The Rishis perform yagnas there. The Chakravarti kings perform yagnas there.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 110) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 47)

(B.9) Activities (summary):

• Bathing in the confluence of Ganga and Yamuna
• Offering oblations to the Pitrs and Devas
• Performing Dana
• Fasting
• Performing Vratas in Prayaga
• Performing Tapas in Prayaga
• Atoning sins in Prayaga
• Listening to the greatness of Prayaga
• Sprinkling holy waters of the Tirthas
• Remembering Prayaga while dying
• Dying in Prayaga
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 103 to 111) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 40 to 48)

(B.10) To avoid:

• Pilgrims should not accept charities in Prayaga.
• Pilgrims should not use vehicles but should perform the pilgrimage on foot.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 103 to 111) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 40 to 48)

(B.11) Merits (summary):

• By performing spiritual activities in the Tirthas, the sins of a person gets destroyed and the person becomes pure. The person may then become eligible to go to heaven after death. After decline of the merit the person falls from heaven and is reborn on earth. However, he is born as a good person with sufficient comforts in life. In that life he again remembers Prayaga, goes there and increases his merit. In this way his journey towards moksha continues.
(Ref: Matsya Purana - 103 to 111) (Ref: Padma Purana - Swarga Khanda - 40 to 48)

Bharatavarsha - The Land of Gods and Sages:

1. Stotras
2. Scriptures
3. Pilgrimages
4. Festivals
5. Saints: Ramakrishna - Vivekananda - Ramana
6. Sadhana
7. Sanskrit
8. Nature