Shloka 15

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

यस्त्वयं मानवो द्वीपस् तिर्यग्यामः प्रकीर्तितः य एनं जयते कृत्स्नं स सम्राडिति कीर्तितः //

Transliteration

yastvayaṃ mānavo dvīpas tiryagyāmaḥ prakīrtitaḥ ya enaṃ jayate kṛtsnaṃ sa samrāḍiti kīrtitaḥ //

Translation

This very ‘Mānava’ continent, famed for its breadth (east–west), is thus proclaimed; whoever conquers it in its entirety is celebrated as a ‘Samrāṭ’ (universal sovereign).

Word by Word

• yaḥ: which/who

• tu: indeed

• ayam: this

• mānavaḥ: Mānava (pertaining to Manu / mankind)

• dvīpaḥ: continent/island-region

• tiryak-yāmaḥ: having transverse extent, broad east–west (tiryak = across

• prakīrtitaḥ: is proclaimed/described

• yaḥ: whoever

• enam: this (continent)

• jayate: conquers/overcomes

• kṛtsnam: wholly, entirely

• saḥ: he

• samrāṭ: Samrāṭ, paramount ruler/emperor

• iti: thus

• kīrtitaḥ: is called/renowned.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within cosmographic teaching)

Entities Mentioned

• Mānava-dvīpa
• Samrāṭ

Tags

• Cosmography
• Kingship
• Imperial sovereignty
• Dvipas
• Rajadharma

FAQs

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

It does not discuss Pralaya directly; it belongs to the Purana’s cosmographic mapping of the world and defines political sovereignty (Samrāṭ) in relation to conquering a named dvīpa.

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

It frames an ideal of kingship: a ruler who unifies and subdues the entire Mānava-dvīpa earns the title Samrāṭ—implying political integration, protection, and effective governance as hallmarks of legitimate imperial rule.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the verse is primarily political-geographic, using the dvīpa framework to define the scope of ‘universal’ rule.