Shloka 34

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

एताः सप्त महाभागाः प्रतिवर्षं शिवोदकाः भावयन्ति जनं सर्वं शाकद्वीपनिवासिनम् //

Transliteration

etāḥ sapta mahābhāgāḥ prativarṣaṃ śivodakāḥ bhāvayanti janaṃ sarvaṃ śākadvīpanivāsinam //

Translation

These seven blessed rivers/streams, whose waters are auspicious (śiva-udaka), nourish and sustain—year after year—all the people who dwell in Śākadvīpa.

Word by Word

• etāḥ: these

• sapta: seven

• mahābhāgāḥ: greatly fortunate/blessed (feminine plural)

• prativarṣam: every year, year after year

• śiva-udakāḥ: having auspicious/beneficent waters (lit. ‘Śiva-like’ waters)

• bhāvayanti: they cause to thrive, nourish, sustain

• janam: the people

• sarvam: all

• śākadvīpa-nivāsinam: residing in Śākadvīpa (inhabitants of Śākadvīpa).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (likely cosmographic narration context)

Entities Mentioned

• Śākadvīpa
• Seven sacred waters/rivers (sapta śivodakāḥ)

Tags

• Cosmography
• Dvīpas
• Sacred Rivers
• Puranic Geography
• Śākadvīpa

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to the Matsya Purana’s cosmographic section, describing how auspicious waters/rivers sustain life in Śākadvīpa on an ongoing yearly cycle.

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

Indirectly, it highlights the dharmic ideal of sustaining society through life-giving resources—water management and protection of waterways—an implied duty of rulers and householders in Purāṇic ethics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it underscores the sanctity of ‘śiva-udaka’ (auspicious waters), supporting the broader Purāṇic use of pure water in consecrations and rites; it does not give specific Vāstu or temple-building rules in this verse.