Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

सर्वतः सुमुखश्चापि निषधः पर्वतो महान् चातुर्वर्ण्यस्तु सौवर्णो मेरुश्चोल्बमयः स्मृतः चतुर्विंशत्सहस्राणि विस्तीर्णः स चतुर्दिशम् //

Transliteration

sarvataḥ sumukhaścāpi niṣadhaḥ parvato mahān cāturvarṇyastu sauvarṇo meruścolbamayaḥ smṛtaḥ caturviṃśatsahasrāṇi vistīrṇaḥ sa caturdiśam //

Translation

On every side stands the great Niṣadha mountain, fair in aspect. Meru, too, is remembered as golden and of fourfold hue, formed of compact, solid substance; it extends twenty-four thousand yojanas in breadth toward the four directions.

Word by Word

• sarvataḥ: on all sides

• sumukhaḥ: fair-faced, auspicious in appearance

• ca api: and also

• niṣadhaḥ: Niṣadha (name of a world-mountain)

• parvataḥ: mountain

• mahān: great

• cāturvarṇyaḥ: of four colours/fourfold hue

• tu: indeed

• sauvarṇaḥ: golden

• meruḥ: Mount Meru

• colbamayaḥ: made of compact/solid mass (dense substance)

• smṛtaḥ: is remembered/said (in tradition)

• caturviṃśat-sahasrāṇi: twenty-four thousand

• vistīrṇaḥ: विस्तीर्ण, spread out/broad in extent

• sa: it (Meru)

• caturdiśam: towards the four quarters / in all four directions

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in dialogue, describing cosmography to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Niṣadha
• Mount Meru

Tags

• Cosmography
• Meru
• World-mountains
• Puranic geography
• Bhuvana-kosha

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to cosmographical description, specifying the placement and dimensions of Niṣadha and Mount Meru within the ordered universe.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic life by mapping sacred geography and directional order; kings and householders use such cosmological orientation for rites, pilgrimages, and auspicious planning aligned with the four quarters.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The emphasis on the four directions and Meru’s central, measured expanse mirrors Vastu principles: sacred layouts and ritual spaces are ideally oriented to the quarters, reflecting cosmic order used in temple planning and consecration.