Shloka 28

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

विहरन्ति रमन्ते च दृश्यमानाश्च तैः सह तत्र पुण्या जनपदाश् चातुर्वर्ण्यसमन्विताः //

Transliteration

viharanti ramante ca dṛśyamānāśca taiḥ saha tatra puṇyā janapadāś cāturvarṇyasamanvitāḥ //

Translation

They sport and rejoice there, appearing together with them; and in that place are meritorious provinces and settlements, complete with the four varṇas (social orders).

Word by Word

• विहरन्ति: they roam/sport

• रमन्ते: they delight/rejoice

• च: and

• दृश्यमानाः: being seen/visible, appearing

• च: and

• तैः सह: together with them

• तत्र: there

• पुण्याः: holy/meritorious

• जनपदाः: countries/territories/settlements

• चातुर्वर्ण्य-समन्विताः: endowed with the four varṇas (a complete social order)

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) conveying the Matsya Purana’s description within the sacred-geography context

Entities Mentioned

• Janapadas
• Chaturvarnya (four varnas)

Tags

• Sacred Geography
• Punya-Kshetra
• Social Order
• Dharma
• Janapada

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it highlights an ordered, auspicious human landscape—holy janapadas where beings are seen enjoying—implying stability and dharmic continuity rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

By praising janapadas “endowed with chaturvarnya,” the verse implies that a righteous king should protect social harmony and ensure each group can perform its duties, while householders sustain dharma through their roles within a well-ordered community.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it points to the ideal of a ‘complete’ settlement—organized communities (janapadas) aligned with dharma—supporting the broader Matsya Purana theme that town planning and civic order should facilitate proper ritual life and social functions.