Shloka 27

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

प्रपातविषमैस्तैस्तु पर्वतैरावृतानि तु सप्त तानि नदीभेदैर् अगम्यानि परस्परम् //

Transliteration

prapātaviṣamaistaistu parvatairāvṛtāni tu sapta tāni nadībhedair agamyāni parasparam //

Translation

Those seven (regions) are enclosed by mountains made perilous with steep precipices; and, divided by distinct river-systems, they are mutually difficult to reach from one another.

Word by Word

• प्रपात (prapāta): precipice, waterfall-cliff

• विषमैः (viṣamaiḥ): uneven, rugged, perilous

• तैः (taiḥ): by those

• तु (tu): indeed

• पर्वतैः (parvataiḥ): by mountains

• आवृतानि (āvṛtāni): enclosed, surrounded

• तु (tu): and/indeed

• सप्त (sapta): seven

• तानि (tāni): those

• नदीभेदैः (nadībhedaiḥ): by divisions/branches of rivers, by differing river-courses

• अगम्यानि (agamyāni): not easily accessible, hard to traverse

• परस्परम् (parasparam): to one another, mutually

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s cosmographic account, ultimately framed as Matsya’s instruction to Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Seven regions (sapta)

Tags

• Bhugola
• Sacred geography
• Mountains
• Rivers
• Cosmography

FAQs

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

This verse is not describing Pralaya directly; it presents a cosmographic model where natural barriers—cliff-like mountains and river-divisions—separate the seven regions, emphasizing ordered structure in the world’s layout.

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

By highlighting mountains and river-systems as boundaries, it supports a practical dharmic idea relevant to kingship: governance, travel, and protection depend on understanding terrain and natural frontiers that limit access between regions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Indirectly, it underscores a Vastu-relevant principle: mountains, cliffs, and river courses strongly condition accessibility and site planning—useful when selecting settlement or temple locations with natural defenses and defined water boundaries.