Shloka 39

Matsya Purana — Kailasa

Devanagari script

त्रीणि प्राचीमभिमुखं प्रतीचीं त्रीण्यथैव तु स्रोतांसि त्रिपथायास्तु प्रत्यपद्यन्त सप्तधा //

Transliteration

trīṇi prācīmabhimukhaṃ pratīcīṃ trīṇyathaiva tu srotāṃsi tripathāyāstu pratyapadyanta saptadhā //

Translation

Of Tripathagā (the Gaṅgā), three streams turned eastward-facing, and likewise three streams turned westward; thus her flow came to be arranged in seven branches.

Word by Word

• त्रीणि: three

• प्राचीम्: toward the east

• अभिमुखम्: facing/turned toward

• प्रतीचीम्: toward the west

• त्रीणि: three

• अथ एव तु: and likewise indeed

• स्रोतांसि: streams, channels

• त्रिपथायाः: of Tripathagā (the ‘three-pathed’ river, i.e., Gaṅgā)

• तु: indeed

• प्रत्यपद्यन्त: became, came to be, took form/arrangement

• सप्तधा: sevenfold, into seven divisions

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Tripathagā (Gaṅgā)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Rivers
• Pilgrimage
• Puranic Geography
• Hydrography

FAQs

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

This verse is not a Pralaya passage; it describes the sacred geography of Tripathagā (Gaṅgā), emphasizing her sevenfold branching and directional flows rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

By mapping Gaṅgā’s channels as a sacred landscape, the verse supports dharmic duties such as honoring tīrthas, maintaining riverbanks and crossings, and facilitating pilgrimage—public works often framed as royal merit and household piety in Purāṇic ethics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, identifying Gaṅgā’s branches guides tīrtha-selection for स्नान (sacred bathing) and offerings; architecturally, it underwrites the placement of ghāṭas, shrines, and pilgrimage infrastructure along recognized river channels.