Shloka 24

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

पारा च धन्वतीरूपा विदुषा वेणुमत्यपि शिप्रा ह्यवन्ती कुन्ती च पारियात्राश्रिताः स्मृताः //

Transliteration

pārā ca dhanvatīrūpā viduṣā veṇumatyapi śiprā hyavantī kuntī ca pāriyātrāśritāḥ smṛtāḥ //

Translation

Pārā, and Dhanvatī (known in the form called Dhanvatīrūpā), Viduṣā, and also Veṇumatī—together with Śiprā, Avantī, and Kuntī—are remembered as rivers belonging to (or taking refuge in) the Pāriyātra mountain region.

Word by Word

• पारा (pārā): the river Pārā

• च (ca): and

• धन्वतीरूपा (dhanvatī-rūpā): Dhanvatī in that particular form/name

• विदुषा (viduṣā): the river Viduṣā (Vidishā)

• वेणुमती (veṇumatī): the river Veṇumatī

• अपि (api): also

• शिप्रा (śiprā): the river Śiprā (Shipra)

• हि (hi): indeed

• अवन्ती (avantī): the river/region-name Avantī (Avanti/Ujjayinī area)

• कुन्ती (kuntī): the river Kuntī

• च (ca): and

• पारियात्राश्रिताः (pāriyātra-āśritāḥ): situated in/associated with the Pāriyātra (mountain) region

• स्मृताः (smṛtāḥ): are remembered/are traditionally recorded.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) recounting the Matsya Purana’s sacred-geography list

Entities Mentioned

• Pāriyātra
• Pārā
• Dhanvatī
• Viduṣā
• Veṇumatī
• Śiprā
• Avantī
• Kuntī

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Rivers
• Puranic Geography
• Pāriyātra
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it is a sacred-geography (tīrtha) enumeration, identifying rivers traditionally associated with the Pāriyātra region.

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

Indirectly, by mapping recognized sacred rivers and regions, it supports the householder and kingly duty of maintaining tīrthas, sponsoring pilgrimage routes, and honoring regional sanctities through donations, festivals, and protection of waterways.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is tīrtha-identification: these named rivers function as loci for bathing, vows, and offerings; such listings also guide where temples, ghāṭas, and shrines are traditionally established in a region.