Shloka 50

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

शाकद्वीपस्य विस्ताराद् द्विगुणेन समन्वितः तत्रापि पर्वताः सप्त विज्ञेया रत्नयोनयः //

Transliteration

śākadvīpasya vistārād dviguṇena samanvitaḥ tatrāpi parvatāḥ sapta vijñeyā ratnayonayaḥ //

Translation

That (next) continent is endowed with an extent twice that of Śākadvīpa; and there too are to be known seven mountains, which are sources (mines) of gems.

Word by Word

• śākadvīpasya: of Śākadvīpa

• vistārāt: from the extent/measure

• dviguṇena: by twice (double)

• samanvitaḥ: endowed/combined/possessed

• tatra api: there also

• parvatāḥ: mountains

• sapta: seven

• vijñeyāḥ: are to be known/understood

• ratna-yonayaḥ: sources/mines/origins of jewels (gem-bearing).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Śākadvīpa
• Sapta Parvata (seven mountains)
• Ratna (gems)

Tags

• Cosmography
• Dvīpa-varṇana
• Sacred geography
• Puranic universe
• Ratna-yoni

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to cosmographic mapping of the world-continents (dvīpas), emphasizing proportional expansion and the presence of gem-bearing mountain ranges.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ideal that a ruler should understand sacred geography and the distribution of natural resources (ratna-yoni), which underpins orderly governance, trade, and protection of wealth.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule appears here; the key takeaway is the Purāṇic concept of “ratna-yoni” (gem-sources), often used in later traditions to sacralize mountains and resource-bearing landscapes.