Matsya Purana — Purūravas Beholds the Divine Himalayan River, Shloka 5

Devanagari script

पुण्यां सुशीतलां हृद्यां मनसः प्रीतिवर्धिनीम् क्षयवृद्धियुतां रम्यां सोममूर्तिमिवापराम् //

Transliteration

puṇyāṃ suśītalāṃ hṛdyāṃ manasaḥ prītivardhinīm kṣayavṛddhiyutāṃ ramyāṃ somamūrtimivāparām //

Translation

ಅದು ಪುಣ್ಯಮಯ, ಅತ್ಯಂತ ಶೀತಲ, ಹೃದಯಕ್ಕೆ ಹಿತಕರ ಮತ್ತು ಮನಸ್ಸಿನ ಪ್ರೀತಿಯನ್ನು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿಸುವುದು; ಕ್ಷಯ-ವೃದ್ಧಿಯುಳ್ಳ, ರಮಣೀಯ—ಎರಡನೇ ಸೋಮಮೂರ್ತಿಯಂತೆ ತೋರುತ್ತಿತ್ತು।

Word by Word

• puṇyām: holy, meritorious

• suśītalām: very cool, soothing

• hṛdyām: pleasing to the heart

• manasaḥ: of the mind

• prīti-vardhinīm: increasing joy/affection

• kṣaya-vṛddhi-yutām: possessed of decrease and increase (waning and waxing)

• ramyām: beautiful, charming

• soma-mūrtim: the Moon in embodied form

• iva: like

• aparām: another, a second

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) relaying the Matsya Purana’s description (likely within Matsya’s discourse to Manu on tirthas/holy sites)

Entities Mentioned

• Soma (Moon)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Waters
• Somatva (Lunar Imagery)
• Punya
• Mahatmya

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it uses lunar imagery (waning and waxing) to portray a sacred, life-enhancing presence—suggesting cyclical time and renewal rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

By praising a holy, mind-delighting tirtha, the verse supports the Purana’s ethic that householders and rulers should uphold pilgrimage, charity, and the protection of sacred waters—acts believed to increase merit (puṇya) and mental well-being.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it highlights the auspiciousness of cool, pleasing waters for bathing, offerings, and tirtha observances; in Vastu-linked reading, it reinforces that well-sited, pure waterbodies are considered highly beneficial and “lunar” in soothing quality.