Shloka 23

Matsya Purana — Dhruva as Cosmic Pivot: Motions of Sun–Moon–Planets

Devanagari script

उदग्धिमवतः शैलस्य्-ओत्तरे चैव दक्षिणे पुण्ड्रं नाम समाख्यातं सम्यग्वृष्टिविवृद्धये //

Transliteration

udagdhimavataḥ śailasy-ottare caiva dakṣiṇe puṇḍraṃ nāma samākhyātaṃ samyagvṛṣṭivivṛddhaye //

Translation

To the north and also to the south of the mountain called Udagdhimavat lies the region known as Puṇḍra, famed for promoting the proper increase of rainfall.

Word by Word

• udagdhimavataḥ: of (the mountain) Udagdhimavat

• śailasya: of the mountain

• uttare: to the north

• ca eva: and indeed/also

• dakṣiṇe: to the south

• puṇḍram: Puṇḍra (a country/region)

• nāma: by name

• samākhyātam: is declared/known

• samyak: properly, duly

• vṛṣṭi: rain, rainfall

• vivṛddhaye: for the increase/augmentation

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing sacred/cultural geography in the Matsya Purāṇa

Entities Mentioned

• Udagdhimavat (mountain)
• Puṇḍra (region)

Tags

• Tirtha-Mahatmya
• Sacred Geography
• Rain
• Desha
• Punya

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a geographic/mahatmya-style description where certain lands are praised for prosperity—here, specifically for supporting the proper increase of rainfall.

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

Rainfall is a core measure of welfare in Purāṇic political ethics: a king’s dharma includes protecting the land and supporting rites and conduct that sustain timely rains; householders likewise uphold yajña, charity, and local sacred observances associated with prosperity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse highlights a prosperity marker (samyag-vṛṣṭi, ‘proper rainfall’) often linked in Purāṇic thought to correct ritual order and auspicious land; it can be used as a textual basis when discussing site-selection ideals and regional auspiciousness in Matsya Purana-aligned Vastu and settlement planning.