Shloka 29

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

हेमकूटं परं तस्मान् नाम्ना किम्पुरुषं स्मृतम् हेमकूटाच्च निषधं हरिवर्षं तदुच्यते //

Transliteration

hemakūṭaṃ paraṃ tasmān nāmnā kimpuruṣaṃ smṛtam hemakūṭācca niṣadhaṃ harivarṣaṃ taducyate //

Translation

Beyond that lies Hemakūṭa; the region there is remembered by the name Kimpuruṣa-varṣa. And from Hemakūṭa up to Niṣadha, that tract is called Hari-varṣa.

Word by Word

• हेमकूटम् (hemakūṭam): Hemakūṭa (the ‘Golden Peak’ mountain)

• परम् (param): beyond, further

• तस्मात् (tasmāt): from that, beyond that

• नाम्ना (nāmnā): by name

• किम्पुरुषम् (kimpuruṣam): Kimpuruṣa (a mythic people/region)

• स्मृतम् (smṛtam): is remembered/known

• हेमकूटात् (hemakūṭāt): from Hemakūṭa

• च (ca): and

• निषधम् (niṣadham): Niṣadha (mountain/range)

• हरिवर्षम् (harivarṣam): Hari-varṣa (region associated with Hari/Vishnu)

• तत् (tat): that

• उच्यते (ucyate): is called.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (cosmographic narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Hemakūṭa
• Kimpuruṣa-varṣa
• Niṣadha
• Hari-varṣa
• Hari (Vishnu)

Tags

• Cosmography
• Jambudvipa
• Sacred Geography
• Varsha
• Mountains

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it maps sacred geography by naming varṣas (regions) and their boundaries marked by mountains.

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

Indirectly, it frames the Puranic worldview a king is expected to know—sacred geography and the ordering of the world—supporting righteous rule and pilgrimage-minded culture.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-rule detail is stated; the ritual takeaway is geographic orientation—recognizing named sacred regions associated with Hari (Vishnu) for tīrtha-awareness and devotional mapping.