Shloka 9

Matsya Purana — Bhīma-Dvādaśī

Devanagari script

पुरीं द्वारवतीं नाम साम्प्रतं या कुशस्थली दिव्यानुभावसंयुक्ताम् अधिवासाय शार्ङ्गिणः त्वष्टा ममाज्ञया तद्वत् करिष्यति जगत्पतेः //

Transliteration

purīṃ dvāravatīṃ nāma sāmprataṃ yā kuśasthalī divyānubhāvasaṃyuktām adhivāsāya śārṅgiṇaḥ tvaṣṭā mamājñayā tadvat kariṣyati jagatpateḥ //

Translation

That city which is now called Kuśasthalī shall be made into the city named Dvāravatī—endowed with divine splendor—for the residence of Śārṅgin (Lord Viṣṇu, bearer of the Śārṅga bow). By my command, Tvaṣṭṛ will fashion it accordingly for the Lord of the universe.

Word by Word

• purīm: city

• dvāravatīm: Dvāravatī (Dvārakā), ‘the city of gates’

• nāma: named

• sāmpratam: now/at present

• yā: which

• kuśasthalī: Kuśasthalī (earlier name of the place)

• divya: divine

• anubhāva: majesty/splendor/power

• saṃyuktām: endowed with/possessed of

• adhivāsāya: for dwelling/residence

• śārṅgiṇaḥ: of Śārṅgin (Viṣṇu/Kṛṣṇa, bearer of the Śārṅga bow)

• tvaṣṭā: Tvaṣṭṛ (divine artisan)

• mama: my

• ājñayā: by command/at the command

• tadvat: in that manner/accordingly

• kariṣyati: will make/do

• jagatpateḥ: of/for the Lord of the world (Jagatpati)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within Matsya Purana dialogues)

Entities Mentioned

• Dvāravatī (Dvārakā)
• Kuśasthalī
• Śārṅgin (Vishnu/Krishna)
• Tvaṣṭṛ
• Jagatpati (Lord of the Universe)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Puranic city planning
• Dvārakā
• Divine architecture
• Sacred geography

FAQs

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

It is a creation-oriented verse: it speaks of divinely commissioned construction—Tvaṣṭṛ building Dvāravatī—rather than cosmic dissolution (pralaya).

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

It implies that ideal settlements are established under dharmic authority and right intention—cities and homes should be founded with order, sanctity, and a purpose aligned with the divine and social welfare.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse frames sacred urban design as a divine craft: a city is to be ‘divyānubhāva-saṃyuktā’ (endowed with sacred potency) and planned as a proper residence for the deity—an important Vastuvidya principle in Puranic architecture.