Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — Purūravas Beholds the Divine Himalayan River

Devanagari script

ताम् अप्सरोविनिर्मुक्तं वहन्तीं कुङ्कुमं शुभम् स्वतीरद्रुमसम्भूतनानावर्णसुगन्धिनीम् //

Transliteration

tām apsarovinirmuktaṃ vahantīṃ kuṅkumaṃ śubham svatīradrumasambhūtanānāvarṇasugandhinīm //

Translation

That stream bore along auspicious kuṅkuma (saffron), released by the Apsarases, and was richly fragrant with many hues—its perfumes arising from the trees upon its own banks.

Word by Word

• tām: that (river/stream)

• apsaraḥ: apsarās (celestial nymphs)

• vinirmuktam: released, let fall

• vahantīm: carrying, bearing along

• kuṅkumam: saffron/vermilion (auspicious red cosmetic/powder)

• śubham: auspicious, благоприятный

• sva-tīra: its own bank/shore

• druma: tree

• sambhūta: produced/arisen

• nānā-varṇa: of many colors/variegated

• sugandhinīm: fragrant, sweet-smelling (fem., qualifying the river/stream).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the sacred locale (within the Matsya Purana’s tirtha-style narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Apsaras
• Kuṅkuma

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred geography
• Auspicious substances
• Ritual purity
• Fragrance imagery

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a tirtha-style sacred landscape description, emphasizing auspiciousness (śubha) and purity through kuṅkuma and natural fragrances.

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

Indirectly, it supports the householder’s and patron-king’s dharma of maintaining and honoring tīrthas—using auspicious substances like kuṅkuma and fragrant offerings in worship, pilgrimage, and public rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, kuṅkuma and natural fragrances (gandha) are key upacāras (offerings) in pūjā; the verse frames the locale as inherently fit for worship and consecratory acts due to its auspicious, perfumed environment.