Shloka 28

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

तोया चैव महागौरी दुर्गमा तु शिला तथा विन्ध्यपादप्रसूतास् ताः सर्वाः शीतजलाः शुभाः //

Transliteration

toyā caiva mahāgaurī durgamā tu śilā tathā vindhyapādaprasūtās tāḥ sarvāḥ śītajalāḥ śubhāḥ //

Translation

Likewise, Toyā, Mahāgaurī, Durgamā, and also Śilā—these streams that arise from the foothills of the Vindhya—are all auspicious, having cool waters.

Word by Word

• toyā: (the river/stream named) Toyā

• ca eva: and indeed/also

• mahāgaurī: (the river/stream named) Mahāgaurī

• durgamā: (the river/stream named) Durgamā

• tu: indeed/and

• śilā: (the river/stream named) Śilā

• tathā: likewise/also

• vindhya-pāda-prasūtāḥ: born from the feet/foothills of the Vindhya mountains

• tāḥ: those (rivers/streams)

• sarvāḥ: all

• śīta-jalāḥ: having cool water

• śubhāḥ: auspicious/beneficial.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) recounting the Matsya Purana’s tīrtha list (within the Matsya–Manu discourse framework)

Entities Mentioned

• Vindhya (mountain range)
• Toyā (river/stream)
• Mahāgaurī (river/stream)
• Durgamā (river/stream)
• Śilā (river/stream)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Rivers
• Vindhya
• Shita-jala
• Matsya Purana Geography

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to sacred geography, identifying auspicious, cool-water rivers/streams arising from the Vindhya foothills.

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

It supports dharmic life by pointing to pure, auspicious waters suitable for bathing and rites; householders and rulers are encouraged in Purāṇic ethics to maintain pilgrimage, charity, and ritual purity through such tīrthas.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, “śīta-jala” (cool, pure water) is ideal for snāna, tarpaṇa, and temple/house consecration washings; in a Vastu context, selecting clean natural water sources near settlements and shrines is considered auspicious.