Matsya Purana — Purūravas Beholds the Divine Himalayan River, Shloka 24

Devanagari script

या हि सुतानिव पाति मनुष्यान् या च युता सततं हिमसंघैः या च युता सततं सुरवृन्दैर् या च जनैः स्वहिताय श्रिता वै //

Transliteration

yā hi sutāniva pāti manuṣyān yā ca yutā satataṃ himasaṃghaiḥ yā ca yutā satataṃ suravṛndair yā ca janaiḥ svahitāya śritā vai //

Translation

Đấng bảo hộ loài người như con ruột của mình; đấng luôn đi cùng những khối tuyết của dãy Hi-mã-lạp-sơn; đấng thường hằng được các đoàn chư thiên phụng tùng; và đấng mà người đời nương tựa vì lợi ích của chính mình—đấng thiêng liêng ấy được tán dương nơi đây.

Word by Word

• yā: she (that sacred river/deity)

• hi: indeed

• sutān-iva: like (her) sons

• pāti: protects

• manuṣyān: human beings

• yā ca: and she who

• yutā: joined/associated/attended

• satatam: always

• hima-saṃghaiḥ: with masses of snow / snowy ranges

• yā ca: and she who

• sura-vṛndaiḥ: with hosts of gods

• yā ca: and she who

• janaiḥ: by people

• sva-hitāya: for (their) own welfare/benefit

• śritā: resorted to / taken refuge in

• vai: indeed/truly

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the glory of a sacred river/tirtha in Matsya Purana’s tirtha-mahatmya style passages

Entities Mentioned

• Devas (sura-vrinda)
• Himalaya / snowy ranges (hima-saṃgha)
• Humankind (manuṣya)

Tags

• Tirtha
• River-Goddess
• Himalaya
• Devas
• Welfare

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a tirtha-mahatmya style praise describing a sacred river/Devi who protects people and is associated with Himalayan snows and divine attendants.

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

It supports the dharmic ideal that householders (and rulers who guide them) should seek welfare through righteous means—such as honoring sacred places, maintaining faith, and pursuing public well-being under divine order rather than mere self-interest.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse implies ritual significance of a tirtha: people ‘resort’ to it for welfare—suggesting pilgrimage, bathing, and offerings. No specific Vastu or temple-construction rule is stated in this shloka.