Shloka 9

Matsya Purana — Kailasa

Devanagari script

यक्षसेनापतिः क्रूरो गुह्यकैः परिवारितः पुण्या मन्दाकिनी नाम नदी ह्यच्छोदका शुभा //

Transliteration

yakṣasenāpatiḥ krūro guhyakaiḥ parivāritaḥ puṇyā mandākinī nāma nadī hyacchodakā śubhā //

Translation

There stands a fierce commander of the Yakṣa host, surrounded by the Guhyakas. The river named Mandākinī is sacred, auspicious, and truly clear-watered.

Word by Word

• yakṣa-senā-patiḥ: commander of the Yakṣa army

• krūraḥ: fierce, formidable

• guhyakaiḥ: by the Guhyakas (Kubera’s attendant beings)

• parivāritaḥ: surrounded, attended

• puṇyā: holy, merit-bestowing

• mandākinī nāma: named Mandākinī

• nadī: river

• hi: indeed

• acchoda-kā: having clear water / clear-flowing

• śubhā: auspicious, благоприятная

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) recounting the Matsya Purāṇa’s sacred geography (tīrtha description)

Entities Mentioned

• Yakṣa
• Guhyaka
• Mandākinī (river)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Rivers
• Yaksha Lore
• Pilgrimage
• Puranic Geography

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on sacred geography—specifically the holy, clear waters of the Mandākinī and the presence of Yakṣa-Guhyaka guardians associated with such tīrthas.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic life by pointing to tīrtha-yātrā (pilgrimage) and reverence for sacred rivers—traditional acts for householders and rulers alike to gain merit, uphold sanctity of places, and protect holy sites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights a tīrtha with pure water—ideal for snāna (sacred bathing) and offerings. Architecturally, it implies a protected sacred landscape where ghāṭas, shrines, and ritual access points are traditionally established near clear, auspicious rivers.