Shloka 3

Matsya Purana — Description of Himavat

Devanagari script

नदीप्रवाहसंजातमहाशब्दैः समन्ततः असंश्रुतान्यशब्दं तं शीततोयं मनोरमम् //

Transliteration

nadīpravāhasaṃjātamahāśabdaiḥ samantataḥ asaṃśrutānyaśabdaṃ taṃ śītatoyaṃ manoramam //

Translation

All around, the mighty roar born of the river’s rushing current drowned out every other sound; that cool-water stream was exceedingly delightful.

Word by Word

• नदी (nadī): river

• प्रवाह (pravāha): flow, current

• संजात (saṃjāta): arisen, produced

• महाशब्दैः (mahāśabdaiḥ): with great sounds/roars

• समन्ततः (samantataḥ): on all sides, everywhere

• असंश्रुत (asaṃśruta): not heard, not perceived

• अन्यशब्दम् (anyaśabdam): other sounds

• तम् (tam): that (river/stream)

• शीत (śīta): cool

• तोयम् (toyam): water

• मनोरमम् (manoramam): charming, delightful

Speaker

• Narratorial voice within the Matsya Purana’s descriptive passage (speaker not explicit in the given verse; likely Sūta’s narration in the Purāṇic frame)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred rivers
• Nature description
• Pilgrimage landscape
• Mahatmya

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a poetic description of a river whose powerful current creates a continuous roar, emphasizing sacred landscape ambiance rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it supports Purāṇic ideals of pilgrimage and reverence for tīrthas: a householder or king who protects waterways, supports tīrtha access, and honors sacred landscapes accrues religious merit and public welfare.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or temple rule is stated, but such river descriptions commonly indicate an auspicious setting for tīrtha-bathing, riverside rites, and the ideal placement of ghāṭas or shrines near cool, flowing water.