Shloka 51

Matsya Purana — Glory of Tīrtha-Śrāddha: Best Times

Devanagari script

गोवर्धनं हरिश्चन्द्रं कृपुचन्द्रं पृथूदकम् सहस्राक्षं हिरण्याक्षं तथा च कदली नदी //

Transliteration

govardhanaṃ hariścandraṃ kṛpucandraṃ pṛthūdakam sahasrākṣaṃ hiraṇyākṣaṃ tathā ca kadalī nadī //

Translation

“These are Govardhana, Hariścandra, Kṛpucandra, Pṛthūdaka, Sahasrākṣa, Hiraṇyākṣa—and likewise the river named Kadalī.”

Word by Word

• गोवर्धनम्: (a sacred place/river-name) Govardhana

• हरिश्चन्द्रम्: (a sacred place/river-name) Harishchandra

• कृपुचन्द्रम्: (a sacred place/river-name) Kripuchandra

• पृथूदकम्: (a sacred place/river-name) Prithudaka

• सहस्राक्षम्: (a sacred place/river-name) Sahasraksha

• हिरण्याक्षम्: (a sacred place/river-name) Hiranyaksha

• तथा च: and also/likewise

• कदली: Kadali (lit. “banana,” here a proper name)

• नदी: river

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s tirtha-listing in a continuous catalogue style)

Entities Mentioned

• Govardhana
• Harishchandra
• Kripuchandra
• Prithudaka
• Sahasraksha
• Hiranyaksha
• Kadali River

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Rivers
• 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 geographical-religious catalogue, naming sacred sites/rivers whose remembrance and visitation are traditionally associated with merit (puṇya).

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

By listing tirthas and rivers, it supports the householder/kingly duty of dharmic living through pilgrimage, patronage of sacred places, and performing rites (snāna, tarpaṇa, dāna) at recognized holy waters.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is tirtha-oriented: these named waters/places are implied venues for purificatory bathing and offerings; no specific Vastu/temple-building rule is stated in this particular verse.