Shloka 9

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

तत्र मेघास्तु वृष्ट्यर्थं प्रभवन्त्यपयान्ति च तस्यापरेण सुमहाञ् जलधारो महागिरिः //

Transliteration

tatra meghāstu vṛṣṭyarthaṃ prabhavantyapayānti ca tasyāpareṇa sumahāñ jaladhāro mahāgiriḥ //

Translation

There, clouds arise and pass away for the sake of rainfall; and beyond that lies a very great mountain—the mighty, water-bearing range.

Word by Word

• tatra: there/in that region

• meghāḥ: clouds

• tu: indeed/and

• vṛṣṭy-artham: for the purpose of rain

• prabhavanti: arise/come into being

• apayānti: depart/go away

• ca: and

• tasya: of that/of it

• apareṇa: beyond/on the further side

• sumahān: very great

• jala-dhāraḥ: water-bearing (lit. ‘holding/carrying water’)

• mahā-giriḥ: great mountain

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) relaying the Matsya Purana’s cosmographical description

Entities Mentioned

• Megha (clouds)
• Mahagiri (great mountain)
• Jaladhara (water-bearing range)

Tags

• Cosmography
• Sacred Geography
• Mountains
• Rainfall
• Puranic Worldview

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it presents a cosmographical mechanism of rainfall—clouds forming and dispersing—supporting the Purana’s orderly functioning of the world rather than its dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it underscores dependence on timely rains and water-bearing regions—key concerns for kings (governing agriculture, irrigation, and famine prevention) and householders (sustaining dharmic livelihood through cultivation and water management).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vastu or ritual rule is stated, but the focus on rain and water-bearing geography supports Vastu priorities like siting settlements near reliable water sources and acknowledging natural hydrology in planning.