Shloka 65

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

कुमुदस्य स्मृतः श्वेत उन्नतश्चेव स स्मृतः उन्नतस्य तु विज्ञेयं वर्षं लोहितसंज्ञकम् //

Transliteration

kumudasya smṛtaḥ śveta unnataśceva sa smṛtaḥ unnatasya tu vijñeyaṃ varṣaṃ lohitasaṃjñakam //

Translation

For the type called Kumuda, the color is remembered as white, and it is also described as “raised” (unnata). But for the type called Unnata, one should understand the corresponding varṣa-category to bear the designation “Lohita” (red).

Word by Word

• कुमुदस्य (kumudasya): of Kumuda (a named type/class)

• स्मृतः (smṛtaḥ): is declared/remembered as

• श्वेतः (śvetaḥ): white

• उन्नतः (unnataḥ): raised/elevated

• च एव (ca eva): and indeed/also

• स (sa): that/it

• तु (tu): but/however

• विज्ञेयम् (vijñeyam): should be known/understood

• वर्षम् (varṣam): varṣa-category/type (technical class)

• लोहित-संज्ञकम् (lohita-saṃjñakam): having the name ‘Lohita’ (red-designated).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within a technical discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Kumuda
• Unnata
• Śveta
• Lohita

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Technical Classification
• Color Terminology

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it is a technical classification assigning color-designations (white/red) to named types (Kumuda, Unnata) used in ritual/architectural or iconographic description.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic duties by standardizing correct ritual and temple/icon preparation; a king (as patron) or householder (as donor) is expected to sponsor works that follow authoritative śāstric specifications.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It encodes śāstric ‘lakṣaṇa’ rules: the Kumuda type is associated with whiteness and an elevated form, while the Unnata type corresponds to a Varṣa-class called Lohita (red)—useful for correct identification, painting, or specification in temple/icon work.