Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

शतद्रुश्चन्द्रभागा च यमुना सरयूस्तथा ऐरावती वितस्ता च विशाला देविका कुहूः //

Transliteration

śatadruścandrabhāgā ca yamunā sarayūstathā airāvatī vitastā ca viśālā devikā kuhūḥ //

Translation

The rivers Śatadru and Candrabhāgā, and likewise Yamunā and Sarayū; also Airāvatī and Vitastā, along with Viśālā, Devikā, and Kuhū—these are to be remembered as sacred rivers.

Word by Word

• śatadruḥ: the river Śatadru (Sutlej)

• candrabhāgā: the river Candrabhāgā (Chenab)

• ca: and

• yamunā: the river Yamunā

• sarayūḥ: the river Sarayū

• tathā: likewise/also

• airāvatī: the river Airāvatī (Iravati/Ravi in some identifications)

• vitastā: the river Vitastā (Jhelum)

• viśālā: the river named Viśālā

• devikā: the river Devikā

• kuhūḥ: the river named Kuhū.

Speaker

• Sūta (purāṇa-narrator) describing sacred rivers within the Matsya Purana’s tirtha-geography section

Entities Mentioned

• Śatadru
• Candrabhāgā
• Yamunā
• Sarayū
• Airāvatī
• Vitastā
• Viśālā
• Devikā
• Kuhū

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Rivers
• Nadi-stuti
• Pilgrimage
• Matsya Purana Geography

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it functions as a sacred-geography catalogue, preserving the names of revered rivers for remembrance and pilgrimage merit.

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

In the Matsya Purana’s dharma framework, householders and rulers support tirtha-travel, river-bathing vows, and donations at holy places; listing rivers guides where such meritorious observances may be undertaken.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, these rivers are tirtha-markers—sites for snāna (sacred bathing), tarpaṇa, and dāna; architecturally, such riverbanks are traditional locations for ghāṭas, shrines, and temple precincts aligned with tirtha practice.