Shloka 51

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

काच्छीकाश्चैव सौराष्ट्रा आनर्ता अर्बुदैः सह इत्येते अपरान्तास्तु शृणु ये विन्ध्यवासिनः //

Transliteration

kācchīkāścaiva saurāṣṭrā ānartā arbudaiḥ saha ityete aparāntāstu śṛṇu ye vindhyavāsinaḥ //

Translation

The Kacchikas, the people of Saurāṣṭra, and the Ānartas together with those of Arbuda—these are said to belong to Aparānta, the western borderlands. Now hear of those who dwell in the Vindhya ranges.

Word by Word

• काच्छीकाः (kācchīkāḥ): the Kacchikas/people of Kaccha (Kutch)

• च (ca): and

• एव (eva): indeed

• सौराष्ट्राः (saurāṣṭrāḥ): the people of Saurāṣṭra

• आनर्ताः (ānartāḥ): the Ānartas (Anarta region, western India)

• अर्बुदैः (arbudaiḥ): with the people of Arbuda (Mount Abu region)

• सह (saha): together with

• इति (iti): thus

• एते (ete): these

• अपरान्ताः (aparāntāḥ): Aparāntas, western frontier/coastal tracts

• तु (tu): but/now

• शृणु (śṛṇu): hear

• ये (ye): those who

• विन्ध्यवासिनः (vindhyavāsinaḥ): dwellers in the Vindhya mountains

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Aparānta
• Kaccha (Kutch)
• Saurāṣṭra
• Ānarta
• Arbuda (Mount Abu)
• Vindhya

Tags

• Bhūgola
• Janapadas
• Ancient Indian geography
• Western India
• Vindhya regions

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it is a geographic-catalogue passage identifying western regions (Aparānta) and transitioning to the Vindhya inhabitants.

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

Indirectly, it supports rajadharma through territorial knowledge: a ruler is expected to know the janapadas, frontier tracts, and mountain peoples for administration, alliances, and protection of borders.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the relevance is contextual—regional identification can inform local temple styles, materials, and customary rites, but those details are not given in this verse.