Shloka 91

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

सर्गो यश्च प्रजानां तु संहारो यश्च तेषु वै अत ऊर्ध्वं प्रवक्ष्यामि शाल्मलस्य निबोधत //

Transliteration

sargo yaśca prajānāṃ tu saṃhāro yaśca teṣu vai ata ūrdhvaṃ pravakṣyāmi śālmalasya nibodhata //

Translation

Both the creation of beings and their dissolution as well—now, from this point onward, I shall explain the account of the Śālmalī tree; listen and understand.

Word by Word

• सर्गः (sargaḥ): creation, emanation

• यः (yaḥ): which

• च (ca): and

• प्रजानाम् (prajānām): of creatures, beings

• तु (tu): indeed

• संहारः (saṃhāraḥ): dissolution, withdrawal

• यः (yaḥ): which

• च (ca): and

• तेषु (teṣu): among/with regard to them

• वै (vai): verily

• अतः (ataḥ): therefore, from here

• ऊर्ध्वम् (ūrdhvam): onward, henceforth

• प्रवक्ष्यामि (pravakṣyāmi): I shall explain, I will teach

• शाल्मलस्य (śālmalasya): of the Śālmalī tree

• निबोधत (nibodhata): understand, take heed, listen attentively.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Śālmalī (Silk-cotton) tree

Tags

• Creation
• Dissolution
• Cosmology
• Vastuvidya
• Purana-Teaching

FAQs

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

It frames the teaching by explicitly pairing sarga (creation) and saṃhāra (dissolution), indicating that the coming topic is to be understood within the Purāṇic cycle of manifestation and withdrawal.

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

Indirectly, it models the dharma of attentive learning: Manu (the archetypal king) listens as cosmic principles are taught, implying that rulers and householders should ground conduct and decisions in śāstric instruction and cosmic order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse functions as a transition into a technical exposition (likely relevant to sacred space symbolism or materials), signaling that the Śālmalī topic will be explained with doctrinal authority—useful for interpreting later Vastu/ritual prescriptions that rely on cosmological context.