Shloka 9

Matsya Purana — Purūravas Beholds the Divine Himalayan River

Devanagari script

हितां सर्वस्य लोकस्य नाकमार्गप्रदायिकाम् गोकुलाकुलतीरान्तां रम्यां शैवालवर्जिताम् //

Transliteration

hitāṃ sarvasya lokasya nākamārgapradāyikām gokulākulatīrāntāṃ ramyāṃ śaivālavarjitām //

Translation

A water-body should benefit all people, bestowing the path to heaven; its banks should be thronged with cowherds’ settlements, delightful to behold, and free from algae and slimy growth.

Word by Word

• हिताम् (hitām): beneficial, wholesome

• सर्वस्य (sarvasya): of all

• लोकस्य (lokasya): people/world

• नाक-मार्ग-प्रदायिकाम् (nāka-mārga-pradāyikām): granting the path to heaven (nāka = svarga)

• गोकुल-आकुल-तीर-अन्ताम् (gokula-ākula-tīra-antām): whose bank-edges are crowded with cowherd hamlets/cattle-settlements

• रम्याम् (ramyām): charming, beautiful

• शैवाल-वर्जिताम् (śaivāla-varjitām): devoid of algae/mossy slime

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching; the instruction is traditionally framed as Matsya’s guidance to Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Nāka (Svarga/Heaven)
• Gokula (cowherd settlement)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Water bodies
• Tirtha merit
• Purification
• Public welfare

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on dharmic public works—describing the qualities of an ideal, merit-giving water-body rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It supports the duty of lokahita (public welfare): maintaining or creating clean, pleasant water resources that benefit everyone is presented as a high-merit act that leads to heavenly reward.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Vastu-wise, it prescribes a water-body that is aesthetically pleasing, socially integrated (near inhabited banks), and hygienic—explicitly free from śaivāla (algae/slime), implying upkeep and purity as part of sacred civic design.