Shloka 45

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

विष्कम्भपर्वतास्तद्वन् मन्दरो गन्धमादनः विपुलश्च सुपार्श्वश्च सर्वरत्नविभूषिताः //

Transliteration

viṣkambhaparvatāstadvan mandaro gandhamādanaḥ vipulaśca supārśvaśca sarvaratnavibhūṣitāḥ //

Translation

Likewise there are the supporting, buttress-like mountains: Mandara, Gandhamādana, Vipula, and Supārśva—each adorned with every kind of precious gem.

Word by Word

• विष्कम्भ-पर्वताः: supporting/buttress mountains

• तद्वत्: likewise/just so

• मन्दरः: Mandara (name of a sacred mountain)

• गन्धमादनः: Gandhamādana (name of a sacred mountain)

• विपुलः: Vipula (name of a sacred mountain, also ‘vast’)

• च: and

• सुपार्श्वः: Supārśva (name of a sacred mountain, ‘having fair sides/slopes’)

• सर्व-रत्न-विभूषिताः: adorned/ornamented with all gems

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this cosmography passage)

Entities Mentioned

• Mandara
• Gandhamadana
• Vipula
• Suparshva

Tags

• Sacred Geography
• Cosmography
• Mountains
• Puranic Worldview
• Ratna (Gems)

FAQs

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

This verse is not describing Pralaya directly; it presents a stable cosmic geography in which the world is upheld by “supporting mountains,” emphasizing order and structure in creation.

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

Indirectly, it models the ideal of “support” and stability: just as the world is sustained by supporting mountains, kings and householders are expected to uphold social order through protection, generosity, and maintenance of dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The imagery of ‘supporting’ structures and gem-adornment parallels Vastu and temple ideals—firm foundations and auspicious embellishment—though this particular verse is primarily cosmographic rather than a direct building rule.