Shloka 76

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

शाकद्वीपेन विस्तारः प्रोक्तस्तस्य सनातनः कुशद्वीपः समुद्रेण घृतमण्डोदकेन च //

Transliteration

śākadvīpena vistāraḥ proktastasya sanātanaḥ kuśadvīpaḥ samudreṇa ghṛtamaṇḍodakena ca //

Translation

Thus has been declared the ancient (traditional) extent of Śākadvīpa. And Kuśadvīpa, too, is encircled by an ocean whose waters are like ghṛta (clarified butter) blended with its rich creamy essence.

Word by Word

• शाकद्वीपेन: with/through Śākadvīpa

• विस्तारः: extent, expanse

• प्रोक्तः: has been stated, declared

• तस्य: of that (island/region)

• सनातनः: ancient, eternal, traditional

• कुशद्वीपः: Kuśadvīpa (the island named after kuśa-grass)

• समुद्रेण: by an ocean, with an ocean

• घृत: clarified butter (ghee)

• मण्ड: cream/essence/thick portion

• उदकेन: with water, by waters

• च: and

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Śākadvīpa
• Kuśadvīpa
• Samudra (ocean)
• Ghṛta (ghee)
• Maṇḍa (creamy essence)

Tags

• Puranic Geography
• Sapta Dvipa
• Cosmography
• Mythic Oceans
• Matsya Purana Cosmology

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to cosmographic narration, describing the arrangement of islands (dvīpas) and the distinctive oceans that encircle them.

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

Directly, it does not prescribe rājadharma or gṛhastha-dharma; indirectly, such cosmography frames the Purana’s worldview—where righteous rule and ritual life are situated within an ordered, sacred cosmos.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or temple rule appears here; however, the imagery of ghṛta (ghee) and its essence evokes ritual substances central to yajña and abhiṣeka traditions, reflecting the Purana’s broader sacral vocabulary.