Shloka 44

Matsya Purana — Cosmic Architecture of Sun–Moon and the ‘Houses of the Gods’

Devanagari script

स्थानान्येतानि तिष्ठन्ति यावदाभूतसंप्लवम् मन्वन्तरेषु सर्वेषु देवस्थानानि तानि वै //

Transliteration

sthānānyetāni tiṣṭhanti yāvadābhūtasaṃplavam manvantareṣu sarveṣu devasthānāni tāni vai //

Translation

These sacred sites remain established until the ābhūta-saṃplava, the cosmic dissolution (the great inundation at the end of the age); indeed, they are the abodes of the gods throughout all Manvantara cycles.

Word by Word

• sthānāni: places, sacred sites

• etāni: these

• tiṣṭhanti: stand, remain, endure

• yāvat: until

• ā-bhūta-saṃplavam: the all-elemental deluge/cosmic inundation (pralaya)

• manvantareṣu: in the Manvantaras (cycles ruled by Manus)

• sarveṣu: in all

• deva-sthānāni: divine abodes, temples/holy seats

• tāni: those

• vai: indeed, certainly

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Devas (gods)
• Manvantaras
• Pralaya (ābhūtasaṃplava)
• Devasthāna (divine abode/temple)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Manvantara
• Devasthana
• Sacred Geography
• Temple Tradition

FAQs

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

It states that divine abodes (devasthānas) persist through successive Manvantaras and remain in place until the final cosmic inundation (ābhūtasaṃplava), when dissolution overtakes the manifested world.

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

By affirming the enduring status of devasthānas, it supports the dharmic duty of kings and householders to protect, maintain, and endow temples and sacred sites as long-term institutions serving society across generations.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Calling them devasthānas highlights temples/sacred seats as stable, consecrated anchors of sacred geography—implying their placement, preservation, and continuous worship are meant to endure across ages, a key idea behind Matsya Purana-style temple continuity.