Shloka 38

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

आनन्दाश्च सुखाश्चैव क्षेमकाश्च नवैः सह वर्णाश्रमाचारयुता देशास्ते सप्त विश्रुताः //

Transliteration

ānandāśca sukhāścaiva kṣemakāśca navaiḥ saha varṇāśramācārayutā deśāste sapta viśrutāḥ //

Translation

Ānanda, Sukha, and Kṣemaka—together with nine others—are regions endowed with the observances of varṇa and āśrama; these are the seven famed lands.

Word by Word

• ānandāḥ: (the region/people named) Ānanda

• ca: and

• sukhāḥ: (the region/people named) Sukha

• ca eva: and indeed

• kṣemakāḥ: (the region/people named) Kṣemaka / the secure ones

• ca: and

• navaiḥ saha: together with nine (others)

• varṇa-āśrama-ācāra-yutāḥ: furnished with the practices of the varṇas and āśramas (social-spiritual orders)

• deśāḥ: countries/regions

• te: those

• sapta: seven

• viśrutāḥ: renowned, well-known.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Varṇāśrama-dharma
• Ānanda
• Sukha
• Kṣemaka

Tags

• Cosmography
• Sacred Geography
• Varṇāśrama
• Dharma
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it classifies famed regions by their adherence to varṇāśrama conduct, reflecting the post-creation ordering of the world through dharma.

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

By praising lands “endowed with varṇāśrama practice,” it implies that a king should protect social and ritual order, and householders should sustain their āśrama duties—together forming the mark of a stable, ‘secure’ realm.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse signals a ritual-civilizational ideal: settlements are considered exemplary when they support varṇāśrama-ācāra—an underlying principle often paired in the Matsya Purana with orderly town planning, temple rites, and socially supported worship.