Shloka 79

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

घृतोदकः समुद्रो वै क्रौञ्चद्वीपेन संवृतः चक्रनेमिप्रमाणेन वृतो वृत्तेन सर्वशः //

Transliteration

ghṛtodakaḥ samudro vai krauñcadvīpena saṃvṛtaḥ cakranemipramāṇena vṛto vṛttena sarvaśaḥ //

Translation

Indeed, the ocean of ghee-like waters encloses Krauñcadvīpa; and on all sides it is bounded in a circle, measured in extent like the rim of a wheel.

Word by Word

• घृत-उदकः (ghṛta-udakaḥ): having ghee as its water, ghee-like waters

• समुद्रः (samudraḥ): ocean

• वै (vai): indeed

• क्रौञ्च-द्वीपेन (krauñca-dvīpena): by/with Krauñca-dvīpa

• संवृतः (saṃvṛtaḥ): enclosed, surrounded

• चक्र-नेमि-प्रमाणेन (cakra-nemi-pramāṇena): by the measure/extent of a wheel’s rim (standard circular measure)

• वृतः (vṛtaḥ): encompassed, bounded

• वृत्तेन (vṛttena): by a circle, circularly

• सर्वशः (sarvaśaḥ): on all sides, entirely.

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s cosmography; traditionally framed as discourse ultimately deriving from Lord Matsya’s instruction)

Entities Mentioned

• Krauñca-dvipa
• Ghṛtodaka-samudra (Ocean of ghee)

Tags

• Cosmography
• Dvipa-Samudra
• Puranic Geography
• Sacred Cosmology
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it presents the ordered cosmic geography (dvīpa–samudra arrangement), implying a structured universe maintained by dharma rather than a dissolution scenario.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic idea of cosmic order (ṛta/dharma): a king’s governance and a householder’s discipline are meant to mirror this ordered, well-measured arrangement—stable boundaries, proper measure, and harmonious organization.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The phrase “cakranemi-pramāṇa” (wheel-rim measure) highlights circular measurement as an ideal of proportion—useful for Vāstu and ritual layouts (mandalas, circular enclosures), emphasizing symmetry and precise extent.