Shloka 42

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

भुवनैरावृतः सर्वैर् जातरूपपरिष्कृतैः तत्र देवगणाश्चैव गन्धर्वासुरराक्षसाः शैलराजे प्रमोदन्ते सर्वतो ऽप्सरसां गणैः //

Transliteration

bhuvanairāvṛtaḥ sarvair jātarūpapariṣkṛtaiḥ tatra devagaṇāścaiva gandharvāsurarākṣasāḥ śailarāje pramodante sarvato 'psarasāṃ gaṇaiḥ //

Translation

Encompassed on every side by resplendent heavenly worlds, adorned with gold, there on the king of mountains the hosts of gods—together with Gandharvas, Asuras, and Rākṣasas—rejoice, surrounded everywhere by companies of Apsarases.

Word by Word

• भुवनैः (bhuvanaiḥ): by worlds/realms

• आवृतः (āvṛtaḥ): enclosed/surrounded

• सर्वैः (sarvaiḥ): by all, on every side

• जातरूप (jātarūpa): gold

• परिष्कृतैः (pariṣkṛtaiḥ): adorned/embellished

• तत्र (tatra): there

• देवगणाः (deva-gaṇāḥ): hosts of gods

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed

• गन्धर्व (gandharva): celestial musicians

• असुर (asura): titans/anti-gods

• राक्षसाः (rākṣasāḥ): rākṣasas/demons

• शैलराजे (śaila-rāje): on the king of mountains (Himālaya/Meru contextually)

• प्रमोदन्ते (pramodante): rejoice/take delight

• सर्वतः (sarvataḥ): everywhere

• अप्सरसाम् (apsarasām): of Apsarases (celestial nymphs)

• गणैः (gaṇaiḥ): by groups/companies

Speaker

• Suta (narratorial voice describing the scene; traditional Purana framing)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Gandharvas
• Asuras
• Rakshasas
• Apsarases
• Shailaraja (King of Mountains)

Tags

• Tirtha-Mahatmya
• Sacred Geography
• Meru/Himalaya
• Celestial Beings
• Puranic Cosmology

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it presents a cosmological-ornamental vision of a sacred mountain realm, emphasizing ordered divine worlds and celestial beings in celebration.

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

Indirectly, it models an ideal of harmony and auspicious order—suggesting that righteous rule and disciplined household life should aim at social concord and celebratory prosperity rather than conflict.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The imagery of “gold-adorned” realms and a sacred mountain setting supports ritual aesthetics: sanctuaries and festival spaces are envisioned as embellished, radiant, and orderly—an ideal later echoed in Puranic temple and mandapa decoration principles.