Shloka 46

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

सर्वधातुविचित्रैश्च मणिविद्रुमभूषितैः अन्यैश्च विविधाकारै रम्यैर्जनपदैस्तथा //

Transliteration

sarvadhātuvicitraiśca maṇividrumabhūṣitaiḥ anyaiśca vividhākārai ramyairjanapadaistathā //

Translation

And the land is adorned with delightful provinces and settlements—variegated with all kinds of metals, ornamented with gems and coral, and further marked by many other beautiful forms and features.

Word by Word

• सर्व-धातु (sarva-dhātu): all metals/minerals

• विचित्रैः (vicitraiḥ): variegated, diverse, richly patterned

• च (ca): and

• मणि (maṇi): gems, precious stones

• विद्रुम (vidruma): coral

• भूषितैः (bhūṣitaiḥ): adorned, decorated

• अन्यैः (anyaiḥ): by other (things/features)

• च (ca): and

• विविध-आकारैः (vividhākāraiḥ): of various forms/shapes, multi-formed

• रम्यैः (ramyaiḥ): delightful, charming, beautiful

• जनपदैः (janapadaiḥ): provinces, territories, settlements

• तथा (tathā): likewise, also.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya–Manu dialogue framework)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Janapada
• Prosperity
• Puranic Geography
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it describes the auspicious richness and beauty of inhabited regions, emphasizing resources (metals, gems, coral) as signs of prosperity.

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

It implies an ideal of governance where territories are well-developed and flourishing—suggesting that a king’s duty includes protecting resources, enabling trade/wealth, and maintaining attractive, orderly settlements.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it supports Vastu-oriented ideals of a “ramya” (well-formed, pleasing) settlement and hints at ornamentation and material culture—using metals and gems as markers of a well-established, auspicious civic environment.