Shloka 48

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

आवृतः पशुभिः सर्वैर् ग्राम्यारण्यैश्च सर्वशः आनुपूर्व्यात्समासेन कुशद्वीपं निबोधत //

Transliteration

āvṛtaḥ paśubhiḥ sarvair grāmyāraṇyaiśca sarvaśaḥ ānupūrvyātsamāsena kuśadvīpaṃ nibodhata //

Translation

It is filled on every side with all kinds of animals, both domesticated and wild. Now understand Kuśadvīpa in due order, briefly and in summary.

Word by Word

• āvṛtaḥ: filled/covered

• paśubhiḥ: by animals/beasts

• sarvaiḥ: all

• grāmya: domesticated (village-bred)

• āraṇyaiḥ: wild/forest-dwelling

• ca: and

• sarvaśaḥ: everywhere/on all sides

• ānupūrvyāt: in proper sequence/in due order

• samāsena: briefly/in summary

• kuśadvīpam: Kuśadvīpa (the continent named after kuśa grass)

• nibodhata: understand/learn (imperative, ‘please know’)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Kuśadvīpa
• paśu (animals)

Tags

• Cosmography
• Dvipa-varnana
• Puranic Geography
• Bhuvana-kosha
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to cosmography (dvīpa-description) and highlights Kuśadvīpa as a realm teeming with both domestic and wild life.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic governance and household ethics by implying an ordered world (“ānupūrvyāt”) where humans must manage domesticated animals responsibly while respecting wild creatures and forests.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the key takeaway is the Purāṇic method of systematic, ordered description—useful for cataloguing sacred geography and pilgrimage/ritual mapping in later practice.