Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

यमुना देविका काली चन्द्रभागा दृषद्वती नदी वेणुमती पुण्या परा वेत्रवती तथा //

Transliteration

yamunā devikā kālī candrabhāgā dṛṣadvatī nadī veṇumatī puṇyā parā vetravatī tathā //

Translation

The rivers Yamunā, Devikā, Kālī, Candrabhāgā, Dṛṣadvatī, Nadī, Veṇumatī, Puṇyā, Parā, and likewise Vetravatī are declared sacred.

Word by Word

• yamunā: the Yamunā river

• devikā: the Devikā river

• kālī: the Kālī river

• candrabhāgā: the Candrabhāgā (Chenab) river

• dṛṣadvatī: the Dṛṣadvatī river

• nadī: (a named river) Nadī

• veṇumatī: the Veṇumatī river

• puṇyā: the Puṇyā river (also 'holy')

• parā: the Parā river

• vetravatī: the Vetravatī (Betwa) river

• tathā: and also/likewise

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator), within a sacred-geography listing in the Matsya Purāṇa

Entities Mentioned

• Yamunā
• Devikā
• Kālī
• Candrabhāgā
• Dṛṣadvatī
• Veṇumatī
• Vetravatī

Tags

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

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it functions as a sacred-geography (tīrtha/nadī) catalogue, identifying rivers considered purifying and religiously significant.

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

By naming revered rivers, the text supports householders’ and kings’ dharmic practice: pilgrimage, ritual bathing, offerings to ancestors (śrāddha), and patronage of tīrthas—acts traditionally praised as sources of merit (puṇya).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, these rivers are implied sites for snāna (sacred bathing) and tīrtha observances; in temple/settlement practice, such lists guide the selection of auspicious water sources and pilgrimage-linked sacred landscapes.