Shloka 28

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

वसन्ति तेषु सत्त्वानि नानाजातीनि सर्वशः इमं हैमवतं वर्षं भारतं नाम विश्रुतम् //

Transliteration

vasanti teṣu sattvāni nānājātīni sarvaśaḥ imaṃ haimavataṃ varṣaṃ bhārataṃ nāma viśrutam //

Translation

In these regions dwell living beings of many kinds, in every way and everywhere. This Haimavata land is renowned by the name Bhārata.

Word by Word

• वसन्ति (vasanti): dwell/live

• तेषु (teṣu): in those (regions/lands)

• सत्त्वानि (sattvāni): living beings/creatures

• नाना-जातीनि (nānājātīni): of many species/kinds

• सर्वशः (sarvaśaḥ): in every way, everywhere

• इमम् (imam): this

• हैमवतम् (haimavatam): belonging to the Himālaya/Haimavata

• वर्षम् (varṣam): land/region (varṣa)

• भारतम् (bhāratam): Bhārata (India)

• नाम (nāma): by name

• विश्रुतम् (viśrutam): famed/renowned.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhārata
• Haimavata (Himālaya)

Tags

• Bhūgola
• Bhāratavarṣa
• Jambūdvīpa
• Sacred geography
• Puranic cosmography

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it belongs to the Matsya Purana’s geographic-cosmographic description, stating that diverse beings inhabit the regions and that the Haimavata land is famed as Bhārata.

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

Indirectly, it frames Bhārata as a distinct, renowned human realm populated by many kinds of beings—supporting the Purāṇic idea that rulers and householders must govern and live with dharma amid social and biological diversity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the significance is contextual—identifying Bhārata (Haimavata-varṣa) as a sacred-cultural landscape where later ritual, pilgrimage, and temple traditions are situated.