Shloka 46

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

अरुणोदं मानसं च सितोदं भद्रसंज्ञितम् तेषामुपरि चत्वारि सरांसि च वनानि च //

Transliteration

aruṇodaṃ mānasaṃ ca sitodaṃ bhadrasaṃjñitam teṣāmupari catvāri sarāṃsi ca vanāni ca //

Translation

There are the lakes Aruṇoda, Mānasā, Sitoda, and the one known as Bhadra; and above them are four more lakes, together with forests.

Word by Word

• aruṇodam: Aruṇoda (the ‘reddish’ lake)

• mānasam: Mānasā (the ‘mind-born/Manasa’ lake)

• ca: and

• sitodam: Sitoda (the ‘white’ lake)

• bhadra-saṁjñitam: called ‘Bhadra’ (the auspicious one)

• teṣām: of them/above those

• upari: above

• catvāri: four

• sarāṁsi: lakes/ponds

• ca: and

• vanāni: forests

• ca: also

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing sacred geography within the Matsya Purana’s cosmographic discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Aruṇoda
• Mānasā
• Sitoda
• Bhadra

Tags

• Sacred Geography
• Cosmography
• Tirthas
• Sarovaras
• Forests

FAQs

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

This verse is not describing Pralaya directly; it catalogs sacred lakes and forests as part of cosmographic mapping, implying an ordered world-structure rather than dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic life through knowledge of tīrthas and sacred regions—useful for pilgrimage, patronage, and maintaining religious geography, which kings traditionally protect and householders may visit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or temple rule is stated; the ritual takeaway is the identification of named sarovaras and associated forests, which function as sacred landscapes often linked with tīrtha-bathing, vows, and merit.