Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

स वै चन्द्रः समाख्यातः सर्वौषधिसमन्वितः तस्मान्नित्यमुपादत्ते वासवः परमं जलम् //

Transliteration

sa vai candraḥ samākhyātaḥ sarvauṣadhisamanvitaḥ tasmānnityamupādatte vāsavaḥ paramaṃ jalam //

Translation

He is indeed known as Candra (the Moon), endowed with all medicinal herbs; therefore Vāsava (Indra) continually draws from him the supreme, life-giving water.

Word by Word

• सः (saḥ): he

• वै (vai): indeed

• चन्द्रः (candraḥ): the Moon

• समाख्यातः (samākhyātaḥ): is called/known

• सर्व-औषधि-समन्वितः (sarva-auṣadhi-samanvitaḥ): endowed with all herbs/medicinal plants

• तस्मात् (tasmāt): from him/therefore

• नित्यम् (nityam): always/continually

• उपादत्ते (upādatte): takes/draws/appropriates

• वासवः (vāsavaḥ): Indra

• परमम् (paramam): highest/supreme

• जलम् (jalam): water

Speaker

• Sūta (traditional Purāṇic narrator) describing a cosmological principle within the Matsya Purana’s discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Candra (Soma)
• Oṣadhi (medicinal herbs)
• Vāsava (Indra)
• Jala (water)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Soma-Chandra
• Rain cycle
• Oshadhi
• Puranic ecology

FAQs

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

Rather than describing Pralaya, the verse explains an ongoing cosmic maintenance process: the Moon as the reservoir linked with herbs, from whom Indra draws the “supreme water,” implying a sacred, cyclical regulation of nourishment and rains.

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

It supports a dharmic ethic of sustaining life: just as Indra draws and distributes water for the world’s welfare, a king should ensure water availability (wells, tanks, irrigation) and a householder should protect herbs/medicine and support life-giving resources.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally and ritually, it underscores the sanctity of water: temple and settlement planning in Purāṇic/Vāstu contexts prioritizes pure water sources, and Soma/Chandra associations often inform timing of rites involving medicinal herbs and consecrated waters.