Shloka 69

Matsya Purana — Soma

Devanagari script

सरित्सरस्तडागानि पुष्करिण्यश्च सर्वशः परान्नान्यभिकाङ्क्षन्तः काल्यमाना इतस्ततः //

Transliteration

saritsarastaḍāgāni puṣkariṇyaśca sarvaśaḥ parānnānyabhikāṅkṣantaḥ kālyamānā itastataḥ //

Translation

Rivers, lakes, ponds, and lotus-tanks were everywhere; and, being urged on from place to place, they sought no other refuge than these.

Word by Word

• सरित् (sarit): river

• सरस् (saras): lake, large water-body

• तडागानि (taḍāgāni): ponds/reservoirs

• पुष्करिण्यः (puṣkariṇyaḥ): lotus-tanks, sacred tanks

• च (ca): and

• सर्वशः (sarvaśaḥ): on all sides, everywhere

• परान् (parān): other, different (as in ‘other than these’)

• न (na): not

• अन्य (anya): another

• अभिकाङ्क्षन्तः (abhikāṅkṣantaḥ): desiring, seeking

• काल्यमानाः (kālyamānāḥ): being driven/impelled, being urged onward

• इतस्ततः (itas tataḥ): from here to there, hither and thither

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator), recounting the Matsya Purana’s description of sacred waters and their sought-after refuge

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Rivers
• Sacred Tanks
• Pilgrimage
• Punya

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly describe Pralaya; it emphasizes the pervasive presence and protective/refuge-like role of waterbodies (rivers, lakes, ponds, temple tanks), suggesting their centrality as sanctifying supports in worldly life rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

By highlighting rivers and tanks as the primary refuge sought, it aligns with the dharmic duty to protect, maintain, and endow water-reservoirs—kings through public works (tadāga, puṣkariṇī), and householders through supporting tīrthas, cleanliness, and ritual bathing practices.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it foregrounds bathing and reliance on sacred waters; architecturally (Vāstu/temple planning), it supports the importance of building and maintaining puṣkariṇīs and tadāgas as integral to temple complexes and settlement water-management.