Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

विन्ध्यश्च पारियात्रश्च इत्येते कुलपर्वताः तेषां सहस्रशश्चान्ये पर्वतास्तु समीपतः //

Transliteration

vindhyaśca pāriyātraśca ityete kulaparvatāḥ teṣāṃ sahasraśaścānye parvatāstu samīpataḥ //

Translation

Vindhya and Pāriyātra—these are (counted among) the principal ‘kulaparvatas’ (family-mountains). Near them, moreover, lie thousands of other mountains.

Word by Word

• विन्ध्यः (vindhyaḥ): the Vindhya range

• पारियात्रः (pāriyātraḥ): the Pāriyātra mountain range

• च (ca): and

• इति (iti): thus/so-called

• एते (ete): these

• कुलपर्वताः (kulaparvatāḥ): chief/family mountains, principal ranges

• तेषाम् (teṣām): of them/of those (ranges)

• सहस्रशः (sahasraśaḥ): by the thousands, in thousands

• च (ca): also

• अन्ये (anye): other

• पर्वताः (parvatāḥ): mountains

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• समीपतः (samīpataḥ): nearby, in the vicinity

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (narrative voice as a didactic discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Vindhya
• Pāriyātra
• Kulaparvatas

Tags

• Sacred geography
• Kulaparvatas
• Puranic cosmography
• Matsya Purana geography
• Indian mountain ranges

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is part of the Matsya Purana’s cosmographical mapping, listing major mountain systems (kulaparvatas) and noting that many subsidiary mountains surround them.

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

Indirectly, such geographic catalogues support a king’s understanding of realms, boundaries, and pilgrimage landscapes; for householders, it frames tīrtha-yātrā and sacred-place awareness rather than prescribing a direct ethical duty.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vastu or ritual rule is stated; however, in Puranic practice these named ranges anchor sacred geography that influences temple tīrtha networks and pilgrimage-oriented site selection.