Shloka 97

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Śākadvīpa and Successive Dvīpas: Mountains

Devanagari script

रोहितो यस्तृतीयस्तु रोहिणो नाम विश्रुतः तत्र रत्नान्यनेकानि स्वयं रक्षति वासवः //

Transliteration

rohito yastṛtīyastu rohiṇo nāma viśrutaḥ tatra ratnānyanekāni svayaṃ rakṣati vāsavaḥ //

Translation

The third region is Rohita, renowned by the name Rohiṇa. There, many kinds of jewels are found, and Vāsava (Indra) himself guards them.

Word by Word

• रोहितः: Rohita (a named region/place)

• यः: which

• तृतीयः: the third

• तु: indeed/and

• रोहिणः: Rohiṇa (name/designation)

• नाम: by name

• विश्रुतः: well-known/renowned

• तत्र: there

• रत्नानि: jewels/gems

• अनेकानि: many/various

• स्वयम्: himself

• रक्षति: protects/guards

• वासवः: Vāsava (Indra, lord of the Devas)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within Matsya Purana’s didactic dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Rohita
• Rohiṇa
• Vāsava (Indra)

Tags

• Sacred geography
• Cosmography
• Divine guardians
• Ratna (gems)
• Lokapālas

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a cosmographic description, stating that a named region (Rohita/Rohiṇa) contains many jewels guarded by Indra.

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

Indirectly, it models the principle of guardianship: just as Indra protects valuable treasures, a king is expected to protect a kingdom’s wealth and resources through vigilant stewardship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the key takeaway is the Purāṇic idea of sacred resources (ratnas) being divinely protected, a theme often connected to consecrated spaces and protected precincts in related chapters.