Shloka 23

Matsya Purana — Purūravas Beholds the Divine Himalayan River

Devanagari script

या च सदा सकलौघविनाशं भक्तजनस्य करोत्यचिरेण यानुगता सरितां हि कदम्बैर् यानुगता सततं हि मुनीन्द्रैः //

Transliteration

yā ca sadā sakalaughavināśaṃ bhaktajanasya karotyacireṇa yānugatā saritāṃ hi kadambair yānugatā satataṃ hi munīndraiḥ //

Translation

She who always and swiftly destroys the entire mass of sins of the devoted—she is the sacred river, accompanied by kadamba trees and continually attended by the foremost sages.

Word by Word

• yā: she (that river)

• ca: and/indeed

• sadā: always

• sakala: entire

• ogha: flood/mass (of sins)

• vināśam: destruction

• bhakta-janasya: of the devotees

• karoti: does/causes

• acireṇa: quickly, without delay

• yā-anugatā: who is followed/attended by

• saritām: among rivers/of rivers

• hi: indeed

• kadambaiḥ: by kadamba trees

• satatam: constantly

• munīndraiḥ: by the best of sages

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the tirtha-mahatmya context within the Matsya Purana

Entities Mentioned

• Sacred river (unnamed in this verse)
• Kadamba trees
• Munīndras (great sages)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Rivers
• Punya
• Sin-destruction
• Bhakti

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic pralaya; it uses “ogha” in the ethical sense—an accumulated ‘flood’ or mass of sins—stating that the sacred river quickly destroys such karmic burden for devotees.

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

For householders (and rulers responsible for public dharma), it supports tirtha-sevana—revering sacred rivers, practicing pilgrimage and purificatory rites—as a means to reduce pāpa and strengthen devotion and ethical living.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it implies the power of river-contact (snāna, ācamana, offerings) at a sanctified riverbank; architecturally, it indirectly supports establishing ghāṭas or shrines in revered riverine groves (notably with kadamba), though no specific Vastu rule is stated in this verse.