Shloka 27

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

शाको नाम महावृक्षः प्रजास्तस्य महानुगाः एतेषु देवगन्धर्वाः सिद्धाश्च सह चारणैः //

Transliteration

śāko nāma mahāvṛkṣaḥ prajāstasya mahānugāḥ eteṣu devagandharvāḥ siddhāśca saha cāraṇaiḥ //

Translation

There is a great tree known as Śāka, and numerous beings live there as its dependents and followers. Among them dwell the divine Gandharvas, the Siddhas, and also the Cāraṇas.

Word by Word

• शाको (śākaḥ): Śāka (name of a great tree)

• नाम (nāma): by name/known as

• महावृक्षः (mahāvṛkṣaḥ): a great tree

• प्रजाः (prajāḥ): creatures/inhabitants/subjects

• तस्य (tasya): of it/of that

• महानुगाः (mahānugāḥ): great followers/attendants/dependents

• एतेषु (eteṣu): among these/in these (realms/abodes)

• देवगन्धर्वाः (devagandharvāḥ): divine Gandharvas (celestial musicians)

• सिद्धाः (siddhāḥ): Siddhas (perfected beings)

• च (ca): and

• सह (saha): together with

• चारणैः (cāraṇaiḥ): the Cāraṇas (celestial bards/panegyrists)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Śāka (Mahāvṛkṣa)
• Deva-Gandharvas
• Siddhas
• Cāraṇas

Tags

• Cosmography
• Lokas
• Divine beings
• Puranic geography
• Mythic tree

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly describe Pralaya; it instead maps a cosmographic setting—an otherworldly great tree (Śāka) and the classes of celestial beings who inhabit that realm.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Matsya Purana’s broader aim of teaching right order (dharma) through cosmic hierarchy—showing that even higher realms have organized communities; kingship and household life are likewise expected to be orderly, duty-bound, and aligned with a larger sacred cosmos.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse is primarily descriptive (cosmography). Its takeaway is contextual—Puranic texts often link sacred spaces and rituals to a layered cosmos populated by Gandharvas, Siddhas, and Cāraṇas.