Shloka 61

Matsya Purana — Narasimha’s Victory over Hiraṇyakaśipu and the Catalogue of Apocalyptic Omens

Devanagari script

यमुना त्वथ कावेरी कृष्णवेणा च निम्नगा सुवेणा च महाभागा नदी गोदावरी तथा //

Transliteration

yamunā tvatha kāverī kṛṣṇaveṇā ca nimnagā suveṇā ca mahābhāgā nadī godāvarī tathā //

Translation

Yamunā, and also Kāverī; Kṛṣṇaveṇā, the river Nimgā; Suveṇā, the greatly blessed one; and likewise the river Godāvarī.

Word by Word

• यमुना (yamunā): the Yamuna River

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• अथ (atha): then/also

• कावेरी (kāverī): the Kaveri River

• कृष्णवेणा (kṛṣṇa-veṇā): the Krishna-vena River (a sacred river-name)

• च (ca): and

• निम्नगा (nimnagā): Nimgā (a river-name)/the low-flowing one (river)

• सुवेणा (su-veṇā): Suveṇā (a river-name)

• महाभागा (mahā-bhāgā): greatly fortunate/auspicious

• नदी (nadī): river

• गोदावरी (godāvarī): the Godavari River

• तथा (tathā): likewise/also.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) conveying the Matsya Purana’s sacred geography (dialogue context ultimately rooted in Matsya’s instruction to Manu).

Entities Mentioned

• Yamunā
• Kāverī
• Kṛṣṇaveṇā
• Nimnagā (river)
• Suveṇā
• Godāvarī

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Rivers
• Nadi-Mahatmya
• Pilgrimage
• Punya

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it functions as a sacred-geography catalog, highlighting rivers revered as purifying tirthas in the Purana’s dharmic landscape.

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

By naming revered rivers, the text supports tirtha-yatra and ritual bathing as meritorious acts; kings may sponsor pilgrimages and protect tirthas, while householders may observe vrata, dana, and snana at such rivers for dharmic merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, these rivers are primary settings for snana (purificatory bathing), tarpaṇa, and offerings; architecturally, tirtha-sthalas often anchor ghats and temples—useful context for “Matsya Purana Vastu Shastra tips” when planning sacred riverfront precincts.