Shloka 58

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

*ऋषय ऊचुः पूर्वापरौ समाख्यातौ यौ देशौ तौ त्वया मुने उत्तराणां च वर्षाणां पर्वतानां च सर्वशः //

Transliteration

*ṛṣaya ūcuḥ pūrvāparau samākhyātau yau deśau tau tvayā mune uttarāṇāṃ ca varṣāṇāṃ parvatānāṃ ca sarvaśaḥ //

Translation

The sages said: “O sage, you have explained to us the eastern and the western regions. Now, in the same comprehensive way, describe the northern varṣas (territorial divisions) and the mountains as well.”

Word by Word

• ṛṣayaḥ: the sages

• ūcuḥ: said

• pūrva-aparau: the eastern and the western

• samākhyātau: have been described/explained

• yau deśau: which two regions

• tau: those

• tvayā: by you

• mune: O sage

• uttarāṇām: of the northern

• ca: and

• varṣāṇām: varṣas/regions (lands)

• parvatānām: of the mountains

• ca: and

• sarvaśaḥ: entirely, in full detail, comprehensively

Speaker

• Ṛṣis (Sages)

Entities Mentioned

• Ṛṣis
• Muni
• Pūrvadeśa
• Aparadeśa
• Uttaravarṣa
• Parvatas

Tags

• Cosmography
• Geography
• Varsha-vibhaga
• Mountains
• Dialogue

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly discuss pralaya; it functions as a transition in the cosmographic narration, requesting a fuller description of northern lands and mountain ranges.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ideal of learning sacred geography: rulers and householders are encouraged to know tīrthas, regions, and traditional mappings of the world that guide pilgrimage, patronage, and dharmic orientation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual rule appears here; the practical takeaway is that temple/pilgrimage traditions often rely on such cosmographic listings of regions and mountains to situate sacred sites within a larger Purāṇic map.