Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

उभयत्रावगाढौ च लवणक्षीरसागरौ शाकद्वीपे तु वक्ष्यामि सप्त दिव्यान्महाचलान् //

Transliteration

ubhayatrāvagāḍhau ca lavaṇakṣīrasāgarau śākadvīpe tu vakṣyāmi sapta divyānmahācalān //

Translation

On both sides lie the oceans of salt and milk; and now, in regard to Śākadvīpa, I shall describe the seven divine great mountain ranges.

Word by Word

• ubhayatra: on both sides

• avagāḍhau: lying deep / situated (as encompassing waters)

• ca: and

• lavaṇa: salt

• kṣīra: milk

• sāgarau: the two oceans

• śākadvīpe: in Śākadvīpa

• tu: indeed/now

• vakṣyāmi: I shall describe

• sapta: seven

• divyān: divine, celestial

• mahācalān: great mountains / major mountain ranges

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Śākadvīpa
• Lavaṇa-sāgara (Salt Ocean)
• Kṣīra-sāgara (Milk Ocean)
• Sapta Mahācalāḥ (Seven great mountain ranges)

Tags

• Cosmography
• Sacred Geography
• Dvipas
• Puranic Oceans
• Mountains

FAQs

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

This verse is cosmographic rather than pralaya-focused: it maps the ordered structure of the world (dvīpas and surrounding oceans), implying a stable cosmic arrangement maintained across cycles.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma through knowledge of sacred geography—useful for kings and householders in planning pilgrimages, patronage of rituals, and understanding the Purāṇic worldview that undergirds social and religious duties.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu rule is stated, but such cosmography often provides the ritual-mental map for temple symbolism (cosmic oceans and mountains mirrored in temple layouts and consecration imagination).