Shloka 25

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

शोणो महानदश्चैव नन्दना सुकृशा क्षमा मन्दाकिनी दशार्णा च चित्रकूटा तथैव च तमसा पिप्पली श्येनी तथा चित्रोत्पलापि च //

Transliteration

śoṇo mahānadaścaiva nandanā sukṛśā kṣamā mandākinī daśārṇā ca citrakūṭā tathaiva ca tamasā pippalī śyenī tathā citrotpalāpi ca //

Translation

The Śoṇa and the Mahānadā; Nandanā, Sukṛśā, and Kṣamā; Mandākinī and Daśārṇā; likewise Citrakūṭā; Tamasā, Pippalī, Śyenī, and also Citrotpalā—these too are counted among the sacred rivers.

Word by Word

• śoṇaḥ: the Śoṇa river

• mahānadā: the Mahānadā river

• ca eva: and indeed/also

• nandanā: the Nandanā river

• sukṛśā: the Sukṛśā river

• kṣamā: the Kṣamā river

• mandākinī: the Mandākinī river

• daśārṇā: the Daśārṇā river

• citrakūṭā: the Citrakūṭā river (and/or river connected with Citrakūṭa)

• tatha eva ca: likewise also

• tamasā: the Tamasā river

• pippalī: the Pippalī river

• śyenī: the Śyenī river

• citrotpalā api: also the Citrotpalā river

• ca: and.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) continuing the Matsya Purana’s tirtha/rivers catalogue (within the broader Matsya narration tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Śoṇa River
• Mahānadā River
• Mandākinī River
• Daśārṇā River
• Tamasā River
• Citrakūṭa (as a tirtha-region reference)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Rivers
• Pilgrimage
• Matsya Purana Geography
• Hindu Sacred Landscape

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it functions as a sacred-geography register, naming rivers revered as purifying tirthas within the Purana’s devotional map of the world.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma by pointing householders and rulers toward tirtha-yatra and river-based rites (bathing, offerings, vows), which are traditional means of accruing merit and maintaining social-religious order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, the named rivers serve as tirtha settings for snāna (sacred bathing), tarpaṇa (water-offerings), and vratas; architecturally, such river sanctity often motivates temple/ghāṭa placement, though no explicit Vāstu rule is stated in this verse.