Shloka 33

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

पूर्वतो निषधस्येदं वेद्यर्धं दक्षिणं स्मृतम् परं त्विलावृतं पश्चाद् वेद्यर्धं तु तदुत्तरम् //

Transliteration

pūrvato niṣadhasyedaṃ vedyardhaṃ dakṣiṇaṃ smṛtam paraṃ tvilāvṛtaṃ paścād vedyardhaṃ tu taduttaram //

Translation

To the east of Niṣadha lies the southern half of the Vedi (the sacred enclosure), as tradition states; beyond it is Ilāvṛta. To the west, however, is the northern half of that same Vedi.

Word by Word

• पूर्वतः (pūrvataḥ): to the east

• निषधस्य (niṣadhasya): of Niṣadha (mountain/region)

• इदं (idaṃ): this

• वेद्यर्धम् (vedyardham): half of the Vedi (sacrificial/sacred ground, ‘Vedi-half’)

• दक्षिणम् (dakṣiṇam): southern

• स्मृतम् (smṛtam): is remembered/declared in tradition

• परम् (param): beyond/further

• तु (tu): however/indeed

• इलावृतम् (ilāvṛtam): Ilāvṛta (central region around Meru)

• पश्चात् (paścāt): to the west/after

• वेद्यर्धम् (vedyardham): half of the Vedi

• तु (tu): and/indeed

• तत्-उत्तरम् (tad-uttaram): its northern (portion)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Niṣadha
• Ilāvṛta
• Vedi (Vedyardha)

Tags

• Bhūgola
• Jambūdvīpa
• Cosmography
• Sacred Geography
• Directional Layout

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to cosmographic mapping, describing how regions are arranged directionally around Niṣadha and Ilāvṛta using the symbolic model of a Vedi (sacrificial ground).

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic life by grounding pilgrimage, territorial understanding, and ritual orientation in a sacred cosmic map—useful for kings (realm conception) and householders (ritual directionality and tirtha-travel).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key term ‘vedy-ardha’ frames geography through the ritual geometry of the Vedi, echoing how Vastu and yajña layouts rely on precise directional halves (north/south/east/west) for correct placement and meaning.