Shloka 40

Matsya Purana — Kailasa

Devanagari script

नलिनी ह्लादिनी चैव पावनी चैव प्राच्यगा सीता चक्षुश्च सिन्धुश्च तिस्रस्ता वै प्रतीच्यगाः //

Transliteration

nalinī hlādinī caiva pāvanī caiva prācyagā sītā cakṣuśca sindhuśca tisrastā vai pratīcyagāḥ //

Translation

Nalinī, Hlādinī, and Pāvanī are the rivers that flow eastward; and Sītā, Cakṣu, and Sindhu—these three indeed—are the rivers that flow westward.

Word by Word

• नलिनी (nalinī): the river Nalinī

• ह्लादिनी (hlādinī): the river Hlādinī

• पावनी (pāvanī): the river Pāvanī (the Purifier)

• प्राच्यगा (prācyagā): eastward-flowing

• सीता (sītā): the river Sītā

• चक्षुः (cakṣuḥ): the river Cakṣu

• सिन्धुः (sindhuḥ): the river Sindhu (Indus)

• तिस्रः (tisraḥ): three

• ताः (tāḥ): those (feminine plural, referring to rivers)

• वै (vai): indeed

• प्रतीच्यगाः (pratīcyagāḥ): westward-flowing

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Nalinī
• Hlādinī
• Pāvanī
• Sītā (river)
• Cakṣu (river)
• Sindhu (Indus)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Rivers
• Puranic Geography
• Directions
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it catalogs rivers by their directional flow, reflecting the Purana’s sacred-geographical mapping of the world rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

By identifying major rivers and their directions, the verse supports dharmic life through pilgrimage knowledge, ritual bathing (snāna), and choosing auspicious tirthas—practices recommended for householders and patronized by righteous kings.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, these named rivers function as tirthas where purification is sought; in Vastu-linked practice, knowing cardinal directions (east/west) aligns with selecting sites and orienting rites toward appropriate dik (direction), though no explicit temple-building rule is stated here.