Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

वर्षाणि यानि सप्तात्र तेषां वै वर्षपर्वताः द्वे द्वे सहस्रे विस्तीर्णा योजनैर्दक्षिणोत्तरम् //

Transliteration

varṣāṇi yāni saptātra teṣāṃ vai varṣaparvatāḥ dve dve sahasre vistīrṇā yojanairdakṣiṇottaram //

Translation

Here, the regions (varṣas) are said to be seven; and the mountains that bound those varṣas extend two thousand yojanas in breadth, stretching from south to north.

Word by Word

• वर्षाणि (varṣāṇi): regions/territorial divisions (varṣas)

• यानि (yāni): which

• सप्त (sapta): seven

• अत्र (atra): here/in this context

• तेषाम् (teṣām): of those

• वै (vai): indeed

• वर्षपर्वताः (varṣa-parvatāḥ): the ‘varṣa-mountains’, boundary mountains of the regions

• द्वे द्वे (dve dve): two and two / in the measure of two

• सहस्रे (sahasre): thousands

• विस्तीर्णाः (vistīrṇāḥ): broad/extended in width

• योजनैः (yojanaiḥ): by yojanas (a traditional distance measure)

• दक्षिणोत्तरम् (dakṣiṇottaram): from south to north (south–north direction).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this cosmography discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Varṣas (the seven regions)
• Varṣa-parvatas (boundary mountains)
• Yojana (unit of distance)

Tags

• Cosmography
• Jambudvipa
• Sacred Geography
• Puranic Measurements
• Bhūgola

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it gives cosmographic structure—seven varṣas and the measured breadth/orientation of their boundary mountains—showing the ordered layout of the world as presented in the Purana.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ideal that rulers and householders should understand sacred geography and traditional measures used in pilgrimage, land description, and ritual mapping, though no explicit royal duty is stated here.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual/technical significance lies in standardized measurement language (yojana) and directional orientation (south–north), concepts that also underpin Vastu-based planning, even though this verse itself is about world geography rather than temple architecture.