Shloka 10

Jambūdvīpa Orientation: Meru-Centered Varṣas, Dvīpas, Kulaparvatas, Rivers, and Janapadas

Devanagari script

केतुमाला ताम्रपर्णो चन्द्रभागा सरस्वती / ऋषिकुल्या च कावेरी मत्तगङ्गा पयस्विनी

Transliteration

ketumālā tāmraparṇo candrabhāgā sarasvatī / ṛṣikulyā ca kāverī mattagaṅgā payasvinī

Translation

Ketumālā, Tāmraparṇī, Candrabhāgā, Sarasvatī; ferner Ṛṣikulyā und Kāverī; Mattagaṅgā und Payasvinī—diese heiligen Wasserläufe werden genannt.

Word by Word

• केतुमाला: Ketumālā (river/region name)
• केतुमाला: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: केतु + माला (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—केतूनां माला/केतुमाला (नामसमास; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• ताम्रपर्णः: Tāmraparṇa (river)
• ताम्रपर्णः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ताम्र + पर्ण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—ताम्रं पर्णं यस्य/ताम्रपर्णः (कर्मधारय; नदी-नाम)

• चन्द्रभागा: Candrabhāgā (river)
• चन्द्रभागा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: चन्द्र + भागा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—चन्द्रस्य भागा (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष; नदी-नाम)

• सरस्वती: Sarasvatī (river)
• सरस्वती: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सरस्वती (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• ऋषिकुल्या: Ṛṣikulyā (river)
• ऋषिकुल्या: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि + कुल्या (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—ऋषीणां कुल्या (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष)

• च: and
• च: Sambandha/Connector (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चय-बोधक अव्यय (conjunction)

• कावेरी: Kāverī (river)
• कावेरी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कावेरी (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• मत्तगङ्गा: Mattagaṅgā (river)
• मत्तगङ्गा: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मत्त + गङ्गा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; समासः—मत्ता गङ्गा (कर्मधारय; नदी-नाम)

• पयस्विनी: Payasvinī (water-rich river)
• पयस्विनी: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पयस् + विनि(नी) (प्रातिपदिक: विनि/इनी-प्रत्ययान्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; अर्थे—पयस्वती/जलवती

Speaker

Lord Vishnu (narrating to Garuda/Vinatā-putra)

Philosophical Teaching

Concept: Sarasvatī as symbol of Veda/knowledge; tīrtha remembrance supports purity and clarity conducive to learning and contemplation.

Vedantic Theme: Vāk-śakti and jñāna as purifying forces; śruti-smṛti continuity mirrored in sacred rivers.

Application: Use Sarasvatī-smaraṇa for study disciplines; integrate tīrtha-ethics (cleanliness, restraint) during pilgrimages and festivals.

Verse Rasa

Primary Rasa: adbhuta

Secondary Rasa: shanta

Geographic Context

Type: rivers/streams (with one name also known as a varṣa in Purāṇic cosmography: Ketumālā)

Cross References

Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.55 (nadī catalog; Sarasvatī appears as a key sacred marker)

Characters & Entities

• Ketumālā
• Tāmraparṇī
• Candrabhāgā
• Sarasvatī
• Ṛṣikulyā
• Kāverī
• Mattagaṅgā
• Payasvinī

FAQs

What is the importance of sacred rivers in the Garuda Purana?

This verse functions as a tirtha-listing: naming revered rivers whose remembrance, pilgrimage, or ritual bathing is traditionally linked with purification and religious merit (puṇya) in Purāṇic practice.

How does this verse explain the path of the soul?

Indirectly: by emphasizing purification through sacred geography and tirtha practice, it supports the broader Garuda Purana theme that dharma, charity, and rites performed with purity help the jīva’s post-death journey.

Practical application of this wisdom today?

Use the verse as a devotional remembrance of tirthas; if visiting rivers, practice ethical conduct (ahiṁsā, truthfulness) and simple rites like prayer/offerings—treating pilgrimage as inner purification, not mere travel.