Shloka 53

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

सर्वधातुमयैः शृङ्गैः शिलाजालसमन्वितैः द्वितीयः पर्वतस्तत्र उन्नतो नाम विश्रुतः //

Transliteration

sarvadhātumayaiḥ śṛṅgaiḥ śilājālasamanvitaiḥ dvitīyaḥ parvatastatra unnato nāma viśrutaḥ //

Translation

There, the second mountain—renowned by the name Unnata—rose lofty, its peaks composed of every kind of mineral and interlaced with networks of rock.

Word by Word

सर्व-धातु-मयैःmade of all kinds of minerals/metals

शृङ्गैःwith peaks/summits

शिला-जाल-समन्वितैःendowed with a mesh/network of rocks (stone formations)

द्वितीयःthe second

पर्वतःmountain

तत्रthere

उन्नतःUnnata (also ‘lofty/elevated’)

नामby name

विश्रुतःfamous, renowned.

Speaker

Suta (narrator) relaying the Matsya Purana’s cosmographic description

Entities Mentioned

Unnata (mountain)

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to cosmographic description, portraying the world’s stable features—especially mountains—by detailing their mineral-rich peaks and rocky formations.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purana’s broader ideal of righteous governance and settlement: knowing the land’s natural features (mountains, stone, minerals) informs resource stewardship, protection of sacred landscapes, and prudent use of materials.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While not a direct Vastu rule, the verse highlights stone networks and mineral-rich peaks—materials and terrain that later Vastu and temple-building discussions treat as important for selecting sites and sourcing durable stone for ritual architecture.