Shloka 48

Matsya Purana — Description of Gomedaka and Puṣkara Dvīpas; the Lokāloka Boundary; Ocean Tide...

Devanagari script

लोकविस्तारमात्रं तु पृथिव्यर्धं तु बाह्यतः प्रतिच्छिन्नं समन्तात्तु उदकेनावृतं महत् //

Transliteration

lokavistāramātraṃ tu pṛthivyardhaṃ tu bāhyataḥ praticchinnaṃ samantāttu udakenāvṛtaṃ mahat //

Translation

The Earth’s outer half, extending only as far as the world’s breadth, is cut off on all sides and covered over by the vast waters.

Word by Word

• loka: world

• vistāra: extent/breadth

• mātram: only to the measure

• tu: indeed

• pṛthivī-ardham: half of the earth

• bāhyataḥ: outwardly/on the exterior

• praticchinnam: severed/hemmed in/cut off

• samantāt: on all sides

• udakena: by water

• āvṛtam: covered/enveloped

• mahat: great/vast

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s cosmographic teaching, traditionally attributed to Lord Matsya’s instruction)

Entities Mentioned

• Prithivi (Earth)
• Udaka (Cosmic Waters)

Tags

• Cosmography
• Bhuvana-vinyasa
• Pralaya
• CosmicOcean
• PuranicGeography

FAQs

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

It presents a cosmographic image in which the inhabited earth is bordered and enclosed by immense waters—an idea that also supports Pralaya imagery where waters dominate and envelop the world.

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

Indirectly, it grounds dharma in a cosmic order: rulers and householders are expected to act with awareness of the world’s structure and limits, fostering humility and restraint rather than limitless expansion.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual rule is stated, but the motif of “encirclement by waters” aligns with sacred planning symbolism (protective boundaries, circumambulation logic, and water as a purifying perimeter in temple and settlement layouts).