Shloka 35

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

अभिगच्छन्ति ताश्चान्या नदा नद्यः सरांसि च बहूदकपरिस्रावा यतो वर्षति वासवः //

Transliteration

abhigacchanti tāścānyā nadā nadyaḥ sarāṃsi ca bahūdakaparisrāvā yato varṣati vāsavaḥ //

Translation

Other rivers, streams, and lakes also flow toward those waters, becoming rich with abundant currents, from the region where Vāsava (Indra) sends down the rain.

Word by Word

• abhigacchanti: they go toward, they flow to

• tāḥ: those (waters/places)

• ca: and

• anyāḥ: other

• nadāḥ: rivers (larger streams)

• nadyaḥ: rivers (smaller streams)

• sarāṁsi: lakes/ponds

• ca: and

• bahūdaka: abundant water

• parisrāvāḥ: flowing currents/streams, outflows

• yataḥ: from where/whence

• varṣati: rains down

• vāsavaḥ: Vāsava, Indra (lord of rain).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching as received in the tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Vāsava (Indra)

Tags

• Sacred Geography
• Rivers
• Rain
• Cosmology
• Hydrology

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it explains the normal cosmic order in which Indra’s rains generate abundant flows that feed rivers and lakes—an image of sustained, regulated creation rather than dissolution.

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

By emphasizing rainfall as the source of flourishing waters, it supports the Purāṇic ideal that rulers and householders should protect water bodies (rivers, lakes, tanks) and manage them responsibly, since prosperity depends on well-maintained sources of water.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse highlights the primacy of water-flow and rainfall-fed sources, aligning with Vāstu practice of valuing reliable water availability (rivers, lakes, drainage/flows) when selecting settlement or temple sites and planning tanks, channels, and runoff.