Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

जम्बूद्वीपस्य विस्ताराद् द्विगुणस्तस्य विस्तरः विस्तारात्त्रिगुणश्चापि परिणाहः समन्ततः //

Transliteration

jambūdvīpasya vistārād dviguṇastasya vistaraḥ vistārāttriguṇaścāpi pariṇāhaḥ samantataḥ //

Translation

Compared to the extent (length) of Jambūdvīpa, its breadth is twice that measure; and its circumference on all sides is said to be three times its extent.

Word by Word

• jambūdvīpasya: of Jambūdvīpa

• vistārāt: from/with reference to the extent (length)

• dviguṇaḥ: twofold, twice

• tasya: its

• vistaraḥ: breadth/width (expanse)

• vistārāt: from the extent

• triguṇaḥ: threefold, thrice

• ca api: and also

• pariṇāhaḥ: circumference/girth

• samantataḥ: on all sides, all around

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Jambūdvīpa

Tags

• Cosmography
• Bhuvanakosha
• Jambudvipa
• Puranic Geography
• Sacred Measurements

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it belongs to the cosmographical section, giving proportional measurements of Jambūdvīpa as part of the ordered structure of the world.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ideal of rulership grounded in knowledge of the world-order (loka-vyavasthā): a king or householder is encouraged to understand sacred cosmology that frames pilgrimage, ritual geography, and dharmic orientation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse is not a Vāstu rule, but it models proportional thinking (dviguṇa/triguṇa measures), a style of ratio-based description that also underlies Vāstu and ritual layout traditions elsewhere in the Matsya Purāṇa.