Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — Purūravas Beholds the Divine Himalayan River

Devanagari script

यस्यास्तीरे रतिं यान्ति सदा कामवशा मृगाः तपोवनाश्च ऋषयस् तथा देवाः सहाप्सराः //

Transliteration

yasyāstīre ratiṃ yānti sadā kāmavaśā mṛgāḥ tapovanāśca ṛṣayas tathā devāḥ sahāpsarāḥ //

Translation

On her bank, deer—ever swayed by desire—continually go to amorous sport; and there too the sages of the forest-hermitages, as well as the gods together with the Apsarases, resort and revel.

Word by Word

• yasyaḥ: of which (river/holy place)

• tīre: on the bank/shore

• ratiṃ: delight, amorous pleasure

• yānti: go, resort

• sadā: always

• kāma-vaśāḥ: controlled by desire, under the power of Kāma

• mṛgāḥ: deer, wild animals

• tapo-vanāḥ: belonging to the groves of austerity/forest hermitages

• ca: and

• ṛṣayaḥ: sages

• tathā: likewise

• devāḥ: gods

• saha: together with

• apsarāḥ: Apsarases (celestial nymphs)

Speaker

• Suta (Purana-narrator) describing the Mahatmya of a holy tirtha/riverbank (contextual attribution for this section)

Entities Mentioned

• Rishis
• Devas
• Apsarases
• Mrigas (deer)

Tags

• Tirtha-Mahatmya
• Sacred Riverbank
• Pilgrimage
• Austerity vs Desire
• Puranic Geography

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly discuss Pralaya; it instead praises a tirtha’s extraordinary attraction—so potent that even animals, sages, and gods are drawn to its bank.

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

It supports the Purāṇic ideal that rulers and householders should honor tirthas and āśramas: such places are spiritually charged and worthy of protection, patronage, and disciplined conduct amid worldly temptations.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Implied significance: a riverbank tirtha is presented as highly auspicious—useful in Vastu-oriented site selection for hermitages/temples and for planning ritual bathing, worship, and pilgrimage observances near sacred waters.