Markandeya Purana — Adhyaya 53, Shloka 16
Adhyaya 53 — Rudrasarga and the Measure of the Manvantaras: Svayambhuva Manu, Priyavrata’s Line, and the Seven Dvipas
प्रियव्रतोऽभ्यषिञ्चत्तान् सप्त सप्तसु पार्थिवान् ।
द्वीपेषु तेन धर्मेण द्वीपांश्चैव निबोध मे ॥
priyavrato 'bhyaṣiñcat tān sapta saptasu pārthivān |
dvīpeṣu tena dharmeṇa dvīpāṃś caiva nibodha me ||
Priyavrata consecrated those seven as kings over the seven continents, in accordance with that dharma. Now understand from me as well the names and divisions of the continents.
FAQs
Authority is sanctified through dharma (rite and right conduct), not mere power—abhiṣeka symbolizes accountability to cosmic order.
Vaṃśānucarita (deeds of descendants as rulers) and cosmography (dvīpa mapping).
Consecration signifies the ‘descent’ of order into the world: the king becomes a ritual pivot linking heaven’s law and earth’s administration.