Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

सप्त चास्मिन्महावर्षे विश्रुताः कुलपर्वताः महेन्द्रो मलयः सह्यः शुक्तिमानृक्षवानपि //

Transliteration

sapta cāsminmahāvarṣe viśrutāḥ kulaparvatāḥ mahendro malayaḥ sahyaḥ śuktimānṛkṣavānapi //

Translation

In this great region (Bhārata-varṣa) there are seven renowned ‘kulaparvatas’ (chief mountain ranges): Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Śuktimān, and also Ṛkṣavān.

Word by Word

• sapta: seven

• ca: and

• asmin: in this

• mahāvarṣe: in the great varṣa/land-region (Bhārata-varṣa)

• viśrutāḥ: well-known, celebrated

• kula-parvatāḥ: principal/family mountain ranges (chief ranges supporting the land)

• mahendraḥ: the Mahendra mountain

• malayaḥ: the Malaya mountain

• sahyaḥ: the Sahya mountain range

• śuktimān: the Śuktimān mountain

• ṛkṣavān: the Ṛkṣavān mountain

• api: also

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhārata-varṣa
• Kulaparvatas
• Mahendra
• Malaya
• Sahya
• Śuktimān
• Ṛkṣavān

Tags

• Puranic Geography
• Bhū-maṇḍala
• Bhārata-varṣa
• Sacred Mountains
• Cosmography

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to the Matsya Purana’s cosmographic mapping of Bhārata-varṣa, listing major mountain ranges that structure the land.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic governance and household life by defining the sacred geography of the realm—knowledge used for administering regions, recognizing tīrthas, and situating rituals and pilgrimages within Bhārata-varṣa.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu rule is stated, but such geographic catalogues inform temple–tīrtha networks and pilgrimage planning; in Purāṇic practice, mountains are treated as sacred anchors for rites and regional sanctuaries.