Shloka 37

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

सह्यस्यानन्तरे चैते तत्र गोदावरी नदी पृथिव्यामपि कृत्स्नायां स प्रदेशो मनोरमः //

Transliteration

sahyasyānantare caite tatra godāvarī nadī pṛthivyāmapi kṛtsnāyāṃ sa pradeśo manoramaḥ //

Translation

Beyond the Sahya mountains lies this region; there the river Godāvarī flows. Even upon the whole earth, that tract of land is truly delightful.

Word by Word

• सह्यस्य (sahyasya): of the Sahya mountain-range

• अनन्तरे (anantare): beyond, on the further side

• च (ca): and

• एते (ete): these (places/tracts) / this region

• तत्र (tatra): there

• गोदावरी (godāvarī): the Godavari (river)

• नदी (nadī): river

• पृथिव्याम् (pṛthivyām): on the earth

• अपि (api): even

• कृत्स्नायाम् (kṛtsnāyām): in its entirety, throughout

• सः (saḥ): that

• प्रदेशः (pradeśaḥ): region, tract

• मनोरमः (manoramaḥ): charming, beautiful

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s discourse, presenting the sacred-geography description traditionally spoken in the Matsya–Manu dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Sahya (Western Ghats)
• Godavari River

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred geography
• Rivers
• Dakshina-Desha
• Mahatmya

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it praises sacred geography—specifically the Godāvarī region beyond the Sahya range—as exceptionally beautiful on earth.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma through tīrtha-oriented living: kings protect such revered regions and routes, while householders may undertake pilgrimage and charity in celebrated river-lands like the Godāvarī basin.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse itself is geographic, but it functions as a ritual pointer: identifying the Godāvarī tract as a prime setting for tīrtha rites (bathing, offerings) and for establishing temples/ashrams in a sanctified landscape.