Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

मध्ये तस्य महामेरुर् विधूम इव पावकः वेद्यर्धं दक्षिणं मेरोर् उत्तरार्धं तथोत्तरम् //

Transliteration

madhye tasya mahāmerur vidhūma iva pāvakaḥ vedyardhaṃ dakṣiṇaṃ meror uttarārdhaṃ tathottaram //

Translation

At its center stands the great Mount Meru, like a smokeless fire. Of the Vedi (the cosmic altar‑region), one half lies to the south of Meru, and likewise the other half lies to the north.

Word by Word

• मध्ये (madhye): in the middle/at the center

• तस्य (tasya): of that (region/land)

• महा-मेरुः (mahā-meruḥ): the great Meru

• विधूमः (vidhūmaḥ): smokeless

• इव (iva): like/as if

• पावकः (pāvakaḥ): fire

• वेदि-अर्धम् (vedi-ardham): half of the vedi/altar-region

• दक्षिणम् (dakṣiṇam): southern (portion)

• मेरोः (meroḥ): of Meru

• उत्तर-अर्धम् (uttara-ardham): northern half

• तथा (tathā): likewise/so

• उत्तरम् (uttaram): the northern (portion)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (narrative voice tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Mahameru
• Meru
• Vedi

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Sacred geography
• Cosmography
• Meru
• Ritual layout

FAQs

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

This verse is cosmographic rather than pralaya-focused: it fixes Meru as the central axis and describes a structured division of the cosmic region (vedi) into southern and northern halves.

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

By presenting an ordered cosmic model (center, north, south), it underwrites dharmic governance and household ritual orientation—kings and householders are expected to align settlements, rites, and boundaries with sacred order and proper directional division.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The term “vedi” suggests an altar-like plan: Meru functions as the central pivot, and the space is conceptually laid out into north and south halves—an idea echoed in Vastu planning where the center and cardinal directions govern layout and ritual placement.