Shloka 43

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

स तु मेरुः परिवृतो भुवनैर्भूतभावनैः यस्येमे चतुरो देशा नानापार्श्वेषु संस्थिताः //

Transliteration

sa tu meruḥ parivṛto bhuvanairbhūtabhāvanaiḥ yasyeme caturo deśā nānāpārśveṣu saṃsthitāḥ //

Translation

That Mount Meru is encircled by the worlds—those that nurture all beings; and upon its various sides are situated these four regions (quarters).

Word by Word

• saḥ: that

• tu: indeed

• meruḥ: (Mount) Meru

• parivṛtaḥ: surrounded/encircled

• bhuvanaiḥ: by the worlds/realms

• bhūta-bhāvanaiḥ: by those that generate/sustain beings (life-supporting)

• yasya: of which/whose

• ime: these

• caturo: four

• deśāḥ: regions/countries/quadrants

• nānā-pārśveṣu: on various sides/different flanks

• saṃsthitāḥ: are situated/stand established

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) conveying the cosmographic account (traditional Matsya Purana narration style)

Entities Mentioned

• Meru
• Bhuvana (worlds/realms)
• Caturo Deśāḥ (four regions/quarters)

Tags

• Cosmography
• Meru
• Jambudvipa
• Directions
• Puranic Geography

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it outlines stable cosmic geography—Meru as the central axis, encircled by life-sustaining realms, with four regions positioned around it.

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

Indirectly, it frames the ordered universe (dik and deśa arrangement) that underlies dharmic life—ritual orientation, governance by quarters, and the idea that worldly order mirrors cosmic order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

By emphasizing quarters and sidedness around a central axis (Meru), it supports Vastu and ritual principles of orientation (dik-nirṇaya): placing structures/altars with reference to cardinal regions and a central bindu.