Shloka 68

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

शृङ्गसाह्वस्य शृङ्गाणि त्रीणि तानि महान्ति वै एकं मणियुतं तत्र एकं तु कनकान्वितम् सर्वरत्नमयं चैकं भुवनैरुपशोभितम् //

Transliteration

śṛṅgasāhvasya śṛṅgāṇi trīṇi tāni mahānti vai ekaṃ maṇiyutaṃ tatra ekaṃ tu kanakānvitam sarvaratnamayaṃ caikaṃ bhuvanairupaśobhitam //

Translation

Śṛṅgasāhva indeed has three lofty and mighty peaks: one set with gems, one adorned with gold, and one fashioned of every kind of jewel, splendidly beautified like the celestial worlds.

Word by Word

• śṛṅgasāhvasya: of Śṛṅgasāhva

• śṛṅgāṇi: peaks/horns (mountain-peaks)

• trīṇi: three

• tāni: those

• mahānti: great/lofty

• vai: indeed

• ekam: one

• maṇi-yutam: endowed with gems

• tatra: there/among them

• ekam tu: and one

• kanaka-anvitam: furnished with gold

• sarva-ratna-mayam: made of all jewels

• ca: and

• ekam: one

• bhuvanaiḥ: by/like the worlds (heavenly realms)

• upaśobhitam: beautified/adorned exceedingly

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing a sacred/remarkable site within the Matsya Purana’s Vastuvidya-style topographical and iconographic narration

Entities Mentioned

• Śṛṅgasāhva

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Sacred Geography
• Iconography
• Mythic Topography
• Puranic Description

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it uses cosmic, jewel-bright imagery to portray a sacred landscape feature (three “peaks”) as supernaturally splendid, a common Purāṇic way of marking a place as divinely significant.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ideal that rulers and householders should recognize and honor sacred landscapes—places described as extraordinarily auspicious—by protecting them, sponsoring worship, and maintaining dharmic stewardship over holy sites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse highlights auspicious “site-signs” (lakṣaṇa) in the landscape: peaks radiant with gems and gold signal a sanctified terrain, aligning with Vastu-oriented thinking where extraordinary natural features help indicate fit locations for shrines, tīrthas, and ritual establishments.