Shloka 59

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

आख्याहि नो यथातथ्यं ये च पर्वतवासिनः एवमुक्तस्तु ऋषिभिस् तेभ्यस्त्वाख्यातवान्पुनः //

Transliteration

ākhyāhi no yathātathyaṃ ye ca parvatavāsinaḥ evamuktastu ṛṣibhis tebhyastvākhyātavānpunaḥ //

Translation

“Tell us truthfully and in full about those who dwell in the mountains.” Thus addressed by the sages, he then narrated it again to them.

Word by Word

• आख्याहि: tell, relate

• नः: to us

• यथातथ्यम्: as it truly is, in exact truth

• ये: who, those who

• च: and

• पर्वतवासिनः: mountain-dwellers, those residing on mountains

• एवम्: thus

• उक्तः: spoken to, addressed

• तु: indeed, then

• ऋषिभिः: by the sages

• तेभ्यः: to them

• त्व्: indeed (emphatic particle)

• आख्यातवान्: narrated, explained

• पुनः: again

Speaker

• Primary narrator responding to the sages’ question (within the Matsya Purana dialogue framework, typically Lord Matsya/Vishnu’s discourse as relayed in Purāṇic narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Rishis
• Parvatavāsinaḥ (mountain-dwellers)

Tags

• Rishi-dialogue
• Sacred geography
• Inquiry
• Tradition
• Narrative frame

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it sets up a truthful narration requested by sages, a common Purāṇic method for introducing cosmological or historical material that may include Pralaya elsewhere in the chapter sequence.

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

It emphasizes truthful reporting (yathātathyam) and respectful inquiry—core ethical disciplines that apply to rulers and householders alike when seeking counsel, recording tradition, or administering justice based on accurate testimony.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual rule appears in this verse; its significance is procedural—authoritative instruction is introduced through a sage-led question-and-answer framework, the same format used in the Matsya Purana’s Vāstu and temple-architecture sections.