Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

देवर्षिगन्धर्वयुतः प्रथमो मेरुरुच्यते प्रागायतः स सौवर्ण उदयो नाम पर्वतः //

Transliteration

devarṣigandharvayutaḥ prathamo merurucyate prāgāyataḥ sa sauvarṇa udayo nāma parvataḥ //

Translation

The first mountain is called Meru, attended by divine seers (devarṣis) and Gandharvas. Stretching toward the east, that golden mountain is known as Udaya.

Word by Word

• देवर्षि (devarṣi): divine sage

• गन्धर्व (gandharva): celestial musician

• युतः (yutaḥ): accompanied by/attended by

• प्रथमः (prathamaḥ): the first

• मेरुः (meruḥ): Mount Meru

• उच्यते (ucyate): is said/is called

• प्राक्-आयतः (prāk-āyataḥ): stretching toward the east/eastward-extended

• सः (saḥ): that

• सौवर्णः (sauvarṇaḥ): golden/made of gold

• उदयः (udayaḥ): Udaya (name of a mountain

• नाम (nāma): by name

• पर्वतः (parvataḥ): mountain

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (to Vaivasvata Manu), in the cosmography discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Meru
• Devarishis
• Gandharvas
• Udaya Parvata

Tags

• Cosmography
• Sacred Geography
• Mount Meru
• Puranic Worldview
• Jambudvipa

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to the Matsya Purana’s cosmography, describing Meru and an eastward-extending golden mountain named Udaya.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purana’s ideal of righteous rule and living by grounding dharma in a sacred, ordered cosmos—kings and householders are urged to align conduct, pilgrimage, and ritual orientation with such Puranic geography.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The explicit cue is directional orientation (eastward extension). In ritual and temple planning, east-facing alignment is auspicious; this verse reinforces the sanctity of the eastern direction through the naming of Udaya, associated with “rising.”