Shloka 59

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

*ऋषय ऊचुः यच्च किम्पुरुषं वर्षं हरिवर्षं तथैव च आचक्ष्व नो यथातत्त्वं कीर्तितं भारतं त्वया //

Transliteration

*ṛṣaya ūcuḥ yacca kimpuruṣaṃ varṣaṃ harivarṣaṃ tathaiva ca ācakṣva no yathātattvaṃ kīrtitaṃ bhārataṃ tvayā //

Translation

The sages said: “Explain to us, in accordance with the real truth, the region called Kimpuruṣa-varṣa and likewise Harivarṣa, since you have already described Bhārata-varṣa.”

Word by Word

• ऋषयः: the sages

• ऊचुः: said

• यत् च: and also

• किम्पुरुषम्: (named) Kimpuruṣa

• वर्षम्: region/continent (varṣa)

• हरिवर्षम्: Harivarṣa

• तथा एव च: likewise too

• आचक्ष्व: tell/explain (to us)

• नः: to us/for us

• यथा-तत्त्वम्: according to reality/as it truly is

• कीर्तितम्: described/proclaimed

• भारतम्: Bhārata (Bhārata-varṣa/India)

• त्वया: by you.

Speaker

• The sages (ṛṣayaḥ), addressing the main narrator/teacher (traditionally Lord Matsya in the Matsya Purana dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Kimpuruṣa-varṣa
• Harivarṣa
• Bhārata-varṣa

Tags

• Cosmography
• Jambudvipa
• Bharatavarsha
• Puranic geography
• Varshas

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a transition within the cosmography (bhuvana-kośa) narrative, where the sages request further factual description of other varṣas after Bhārata-varṣa.

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

Indirectly: it frames Bhārata-varṣa as a described realm within a larger sacred geography, a context often used in the Purana to situate dharma, pilgrimage, and social duties—though no specific royal or household rule is stated here.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is mentioned; the verse functions as a request for accurate geographic-cosmological exposition, which later supports pilgrimage and sacred-site orientation in Purāṇic practice.