Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Description of Himavat

Devanagari script

*सूत उवाच आलोकयन्नदीं पुण्यां तत्समीरहृतश्रमः स गच्छन्नेव ददृशे हिमवन्तं महागिरिम् //

Transliteration

*sūta uvāca ālokayannadīṃ puṇyāṃ tatsamīrahṛtaśramaḥ sa gacchanneva dadṛśe himavantaṃ mahāgirim //

Translation

Sūta said: While gazing upon that holy river, the cool breeze carried away his fatigue; and as he continued on his way, he beheld Himavat, the mighty mountain.

Word by Word

• sūtaḥ uvāca: Sūta said

• ālokayan: looking at, beholding

• nadīm: the river

• puṇyām: sacred, meritorious

• tat-samīra-hṛta-śramaḥ: whose weariness was removed by that breeze (samīra)

• saḥ: he

• gacchan eva: even while walking/onward

• dadṛśe: saw, beheld

• himavantam: Himavat (the Himalaya personified / the Himalayan range)

• mahā-girim: the great mountain

Speaker

• Sūta

Entities Mentioned

• Sūta
• Puṇya-nadī (sacred river)
• Himavat (Himalaya)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Geography
• Himalaya
• Pilgrimage
• Purana Narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it focuses on sacred geography and the purifying, restorative effect of a holy river and breeze during a journey.

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

It supports the Purāṇic ideal that pilgrimage and contemplation of tīrthas aid purification and renewal—practices recommended for householders and rulers seeking merit, clarity, and steadiness of mind.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or temple-building rule appears here; the ritual takeaway is the sanctifying power of tīrthas—holy rivers and sacred landscapes—often associated with bathing, vows, and worship in later verses.