Shloka 23

Matsya Purana — Navagraha Sacrifice for Planetary Pacification and Prosperity

Devanagari script

गङ्गाद्याः सरितः सर्वाः समुद्रांश्च सरांसि च गजाश्वरथ्यावल्मीकसंगमाद्ध्रदगोकुलात् //

Transliteration

gaṅgādyāḥ saritaḥ sarvāḥ samudrāṃśca sarāṃsi ca gajāśvarathyāvalmīkasaṃgamāddhradagokulāt //

Translation

All rivers beginning with the Gaṅgā, the oceans, and the lakes as well—these sacred waters—from confluences near elephant-grounds, horse-tracks, chariot-roads, and anthills, and from pools and cow-settlements, are to be regarded as holy for purificatory bathing and rites.

Word by Word

• गङ्गाद्याः (gaṅgādyāḥ): beginning with the Ganga

• सरितः (saritaḥ): rivers/streams

• सर्वाः (sarvāḥ): all

• समुद्रांश्च (samudrāṃś ca): and oceans/seas

• सरांसि (sarāṃsi): lakes/ponds

• च (ca): and

• गज (gaja): elephant

• अश्व (aśva): horse

• रथ्या (rathyā): chariot-road/main street/roadway

• वल्मीक (valmīka): anthill/termite mound

• संगमात् (saṅgamāt): from a confluence/junction/meeting-place

• ह्रद (hrada): pool/tank/lake

• गोकुलात् (gokulāt): from a cow-herd settlement/cattle-station (gokula)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within a tirtha/snana context)

Entities Mentioned

• Gaṅgā
• Saritaḥ (rivers)
• Samudra (oceans)
• Saraḥ/Hrada (lakes, pools)
• Gokula (cow-settlement)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Snana
• Sacred Rivers
• Purification
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a sacred-geography (tīrtha) and purification context, listing rivers, oceans, lakes, and confluences as sanctifying locations for rites.

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

It supports daily and occasional dharma: householders (and kings as exemplars) are encouraged to seek purification through snāna and related rites at recognized sacred waters—rivers, lakes, oceans, and especially confluences—before major rituals, vows, or gifts.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes tīrtha-snānā: waters at saṅgamas (confluences), hradas (tanks/pools), and other water bodies are treated as purifying. Architecturally, it indirectly supports the importance of maintaining tanks (hrada/saraḥ) near settlements (like gokula) for ritual cleanliness and religious observance.