Shloka 36

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

आवन्ताश्च कलिङ्गाश्च मूकाश्चैवान्धकैः सह मध्यदेशा जनपदाः प्रायशः परिकीर्तिताः //

Transliteration

āvantāśca kaliṅgāśca mūkāścaivāndhakaiḥ saha madhyadeśā janapadāḥ prāyaśaḥ parikīrtitāḥ //

Translation

The Avantas, the Kaliṅgas, the Mūkas, together with the Andhakas—these are, for the most part, the janapadas (territorial peoples) proclaimed as belonging to Madhyadeśa, the “Middle Country”.

Word by Word

• आवन्ताः: the people of Avanti

• च: and

• कलिङ्गाः: the people of Kaliṅga

• च: and

• मूकाः: the Mūkas (a named people/tribe)

• च एव: and also/indeed

• अन्धकैः: with the Andhakas

• सह: together with

• मध्यदेशाः: belonging to the Madhyadeśa (Middle Country)

• जनपदाः: territorial peoples/kingdoms/regions

• प्रायशः: for the most part, generally

• परिकीर्तिताः: are mentioned/enumerated/celebrated (as listed).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purāṇa’s geographical catalogue in a continuous discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Avanti
• Kaliṅga
• Mūka
• Andhaka
• Madhyadeśa

Tags

• Janapadas
• Bhūgola
• Ancient Indian geography
• Madhyadeśa
• Puranic catalogues

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is part of a geographical/ethnographic catalogue (janapada-varṇana), naming peoples associated with Madhyadeśa rather than describing cosmic creation or pralaya.

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

Indirectly: by identifying janapadas and regional groupings, it supports a king’s understanding of realms, neighbors, and territorial classification—useful for governance, diplomacy, and administration, though no explicit dharma rule is stated here.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual instruction appears in this verse; its value is contextual—locating peoples/regions that later traditions may connect with regional temple styles, pilgrimage circuits, or customary rites.