Shloka 42

Matsya Purana — Kailasa

Devanagari script

सप्त चैताः प्लावयन्ति वर्षं तु हिमसाह्वयम् प्रसूताः सप्त नद्यस्तु शुभा बिन्दुसरोद्भवाः //

Transliteration

sapta caitāḥ plāvayanti varṣaṃ tu himasāhvayam prasūtāḥ sapta nadyastu śubhā bindusarodbhavāḥ //

Translation

These seven streams flood and water the mountain-region called Himavat. They are seven auspicious rivers, born forth from Bindusaras, the lake named Bindusaras.

Word by Word

• सप्त (sapta): seven

• चैताः (caitāḥ): these (feminine plural, referring to the rivers/streams)

• प्लावयन्ति (plāvayanti): inundate, flood, cause to be well-watered

• वर्षम् (varṣam): region/tract of land (varṣa)

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• हिमसाह्वयम् (himasāhvayam): called Himavat, bearing the name ‘Hima’

• प्रसूताः (prasūtāḥ): produced, brought forth, born

• सप्त (sapta): seven

• नद्यः (nadyāḥ): rivers

• तु (tu): indeed

• शुभाः (śubhāḥ): auspicious, beneficent

• बिन्दुसरोद्भवाः (bindusarodbhavāḥ): arising from Bindusaras (Bindu-saras), originating in that lake.

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana discourse, describing sacred geography in the flow of the text)

Entities Mentioned

• Himavat
• Bindusaras
• Sapta Nadyaḥ (seven rivers)

Tags

• Sacred Geography
• Tirtha
• Himalaya
• Rivers
• Bindusaras

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; instead it maps sacred geography by stating that seven auspicious rivers originate from Bindusaras and water the Himavat region.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic life by identifying sacred rivers and regions associated with pilgrimage, purification, and merit—practices encouraged for householders and protected/promoted by righteous kings.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, rivers and their sources function as tīrthas for स्नान (sacred bathing), offerings, and vows; such verses guide where rites may be performed and where temples/ghāṭas are traditionally established.