Shloka 36

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

माल्यवान्वै सहस्रैक आ नीलनिषधायतः द्वात्रिंशत्त्वेवमप्युक्तः पर्वतो गन्धमादनः //

Transliteration

mālyavānvai sahasraika ā nīlaniṣadhāyataḥ dvātriṃśattvevamapyuktaḥ parvato gandhamādanaḥ //

Translation

Mālyavān Mountain extends for a thousand (yojanas) up to the Nīla and Niṣadha ranges; likewise, Gandhamādana Mountain is also described as being thirty-two (yojanas in extent).

Word by Word

• माल्यवान् (mālyavān): the mountain Mālyavān

• वै (vai): indeed

• सहस्र-एक (sahasra-eka): one thousand (i.e., a thousand in measure)

• आ (ā): up to, reaching

• नील-निषध-आयतः (nīla-niṣadha-āyataḥ): extending toward/up to the Nīla and Niṣadha (mountain ranges)

• द्वात्रिंशत् (dvātriṃśat): thirty-two

• एवम् (evam): thus, in this manner

• अपि (api): also

• उक्तः (uktaḥ): said, described

• पर्वतः (parvataḥ): mountain

• गन्धमादनः (gandhamādanaḥ): Gandhamādana (mountain).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) reporting the Matsya Purana’s cosmographical description (Bhuvana-kosha tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Mālyavān
• Nīla (mountain range)
• Niṣadha (mountain range)
• Gandhamādana

Tags

• Sacred Geography
• Bhuvana-kosha
• Mountains
• Cosmography
• Puranic Topography

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 cosmography (bhuvana-kośa), giving traditional measurements and placements of major mountains within the world-description.

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

Indirectly, such geographic catalogues support dharma through tīrtha-knowledge and the mapping of sacred regions; kings patronize pilgrimage routes and protect holy landscapes, while householders use such knowledge to orient vows, pilgrimages, and ritual travel.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple-rule is stated; the ritual relevance is contextual—these named mountains function as sacred reference points in Purāṇic spatial imagination used for pilgrimage narratives and locating holy realms.