Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

सप्त वर्षाणि वक्ष्यामि जम्बूद्वीपं यथाविधम् विस्तरं मण्डलं यच्च योजनैस्तान्निबोधत //

Transliteration

sapta varṣāṇi vakṣyāmi jambūdvīpaṃ yathāvidham vistaraṃ maṇḍalaṃ yacca yojanaistānnibodhata //

Translation

I shall now describe, in due order, Jambūdvīpa with its seven regions (varṣas)—its breadth, its circular expanse, and its measurements in yojanas; listen and understand.

Word by Word

• सप्त (sapta): seven

• वर्षाणि (varṣāṇi): regions/divisions of a continent (varṣas)

• वक्ष्यामि (vakṣyāmi): I will describe

• जम्बूद्वीपम् (jambūdvīpam): Jambūdvīpa (the central continent)

• यथाविधम् (yathāvidham): according to proper method/order

• विस्तरम् (vistaram): breadth/extent

• मण्डलम् (maṇḍalam): circular area/zone/disc

• यत् च (yac ca): and which/also

• योजनैः (yojanaiḥ): by yojanas (ancient distance units)

• तान् (tān): those (details)

• निबोधत (nibodhata): understand/learn attentively (listen and grasp).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Jambūdvīpa
• Varṣas
• Yojana

Tags

• Cosmography
• Jambudvipa
• Sacred Geography
• Puranic Measurements
• Manvantara Context

FAQs

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

This verse is not describing Pralaya directly; it marks a transition into cosmography, where the Purana maps the ordered structure of the world (Jambūdvīpa) using traditional divisions and measurements.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic governance and ritual life by grounding them in sacred geography—pilgrimage networks, territorial understanding, and the cosmological order that kings are expected to protect and householders honor through rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key technical cue is measurement (yojana) and mandala (circular layout), which parallels how ritual spaces and temple plans use precise, ordered dimensions; the verse frames the world itself as a measured ‘mandala’.