Shloka 40

Matsya Purana — Mahāgaurī’s Entry

Devanagari script

उपविष्टा ततस्तस्य तीरे देवी सखीयुता पातुकामा च तत्तोयं स्वादु निर्मलपङ्कजम् //

Transliteration

upaviṣṭā tatastasya tīre devī sakhīyutā pātukāmā ca tattoyaṃ svādu nirmalapaṅkajam //

Translation

Then the goddess, accompanied by her companions, sat down upon its bank; wishing to drink, she drank that water—sweet, clear, and lotus-filled.

Word by Word

• उपविष्टा: having sat down

• ततः: then/thereupon

• तस्य: of it/its

• तीरे: on the bank/shore

• देवी: the goddess

• सखी-युता: accompanied by female friends/companions

• पातु-कामा: desiring to drink

• च: and

• तत्-तोयम्: that water

• स्वादु: sweet/pleasant-tasting

• निर्मल: pure/clear

• पङ्कजम्: lotus(-bearing), having lotuses

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) / Purāṇic narrator (contextual narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Devī (Goddess)
• Sakhīs (companions)
• Tīra (riverbank)
• Paṅkaja (lotus)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred river
• Devī
• Purity
• Pilgrimage

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it emphasizes sacred geography and purity—sweet, clear water with lotuses—typical of tīrtha descriptions rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It supports the dharmic ideal of maintaining purity and honoring sacred places: householders (and kings through public works) are implied to protect tīrthas, keep waters clean, and facilitate righteous pilgrimage and ritual cleanliness.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights potable, pure water at a riverbank as suitable for ācamana and tīrtha observance; architecturally, it aligns with the ideal of lotus-bearing, clean water bodies—guiding the design/maintenance of temple tanks (puṣkariṇī) and sacred ponds.