Shloka 34

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

तासां नद्युपनद्यश्च शतशो ऽथ सहस्रशः तास्विमे कुरुपाञ्चालाः शाल्वाश्चैव सजाङ्गलाः //

Transliteration

tāsāṃ nadyupanadyaśca śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ tāsvime kurupāñcālāḥ śālvāścaiva sajāṅgalāḥ //

Translation

Of those great rivers there are hundreds, even thousands, of rivers and tributaries; along them dwell these peoples—the Kurus and the Pañcālas, the Śālvas, and also the Jāṅgalas (folk of the forest or dry regions).

Word by Word

• तासाम् (tāsām): of those

• नदी (nadī): river

• उपनद्यः (upanadyaḥ): tributaries/sub-rivers

• च (ca): and

• शतशः (śataśaḥ): by hundreds/in hundreds

• अथ (atha): then/indeed

• सहस्रशः (sahasraśaḥ): by thousands/in thousands

• तासु (tāsu): in/along them (those rivers)

• इमे (ime): these

• कुरुपाञ्चालाः (kurupāñcālāḥ): the Kurus and Pañcālas

• शाल्वाः (śālvāḥ): the Śālvas

• च एव (ca eva): and also

• सजाङ्गलाः (sajāṅgalāḥ): the Jāṅgalas (people of the jāṅgala—arid/forest tract)

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) conveying the Purāṇic geographic catalogue

Entities Mentioned

• Kuru
• Pañcāla
• Śālva
• Jāṅgala (region/people)

Tags

• Bhūgola
• Geography
• Rivers
• Janapadas
• Ancient Indian genealogy

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it is part of the Matsya Purana’s geographic survey, emphasizing the immense network of rivers and tributaries and the peoples settled along them.

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

Indirectly, it supports rajadharma by mapping janapadas and river systems—key for governance, taxation, agriculture, pilgrimage routes, and protection of settlements dependent on riverine resources.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual rule is stated; however, the focus on rivers and tributaries aligns with site-selection priorities in temple/town planning where proximity to watercourses is treated as auspicious and practical.