Shloka 24

Matsya Purana — The Gods Seek Śiva’s Refuge: The Cosmic Chariot Prepared for the Burning of T...

Devanagari script

सरस्वती देविका च तथा च सरयूरपि एताः सरिद्वराः सर्वा वेणुसंज्ञा कृता रथे //

Transliteration

sarasvatī devikā ca tathā ca sarayūrapi etāḥ saridvarāḥ sarvā veṇusaṃjñā kṛtā rathe //

Translation

Sarasvatī, Devikā, and also Sarayū—these excellent rivers are all designated by the technical name “Veṇu” in the (ritual/architectural) scheme called the ‘Ratha’.

Word by Word

• सरस्वती: Sarasvatī river

• देविका: Devikā river

• च: and

• तथा: likewise

• च: and

• सरयूरपि: Sarayū also

• एताः: these

• सरिद्वराः: best/excellent among rivers

• सर्वा: all

• वेणु-संज्ञा: bearing the designation/name ‘Veṇu’

• कृता: are made/are assigned

• रथे: in/within the ‘Ratha’ (a specific classified scheme/arrangement, lit. chariot)

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) relaying the Matsya Purana’s classification (dialogue-context ultimately rooted in Matsya’s instruction to Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Sarasvatī
• Devikā
• Sarayū
• Veṇu (technical designation)
• Ratha (classification scheme)

Tags

• Sacred Rivers
• Tirtha
• Vastu Shastra
• Ritual Taxonomy
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it instead classifies certain rivers by a technical name (“Veṇu”) within a structured scheme (“Ratha”), reflecting how the Purana systematizes sacred geography.

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

By identifying rivers as ‘excellent’ and assigning them a formal category, the text supports dharmic decision-making—kings and householders could use such classifications when choosing auspicious lands, planning settlements, or establishing ritual sites dependent on water sources.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key significance is technical nomenclature: these rivers are grouped under the label “Veṇu” within the “Ratha” scheme, implying a vastu/ritual taxonomy used for evaluating water sources in site-planning and ceremonial contexts.