Shloka 60

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

जम्बूखण्डस्य विस्तारं तथान्येषां विदांवर द्वीपानां वासिनां तेषां वृक्षाणां प्रब्रवीहि नः //

Transliteration

jambūkhaṇḍasya vistāraṃ tathānyeṣāṃ vidāṃvara dvīpānāṃ vāsināṃ teṣāṃ vṛkṣāṇāṃ prabravīhi naḥ //

Translation

O best among the wise, tell us the extent of Jambū-khaṇḍa, and likewise of the other islands—their inhabitants and the trees that belong to them.

Word by Word

• jambūkhaṇḍasya: of Jambū-khaṇḍa (Jambūdvīpa region)

• vistāram: extent/measure/spread

• tathā: likewise/also

• anyeṣām: of the others

• vidāṃ-vara: O best among the learned

• dvīpānām: of the islands/continents

• vāsinām: of the dwellers/inhabitants

• teṣām: of those (islands)

• vṛkṣāṇām: of the trees

• prabravīhi: speak forth/tell in detail

• naḥ: to us/for us.

Speaker

• Vaivasvata Manu (inquiring of Lord Matsya/Vishnu)

Entities Mentioned

• Jambū-khaṇḍa (Jambūdvīpa)
• Dvīpas (cosmic islands/continents)

Tags

• Cosmography
• Jambudvipa
• Dvipa-varnana
• Sacred trees
• Puranic geography

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it introduces a cosmographic inquiry, asking for the measured extent of Jambūdvīpa and other dvīpas along with their inhabitants and characteristic trees.

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

Indirectly, it frames the kingly/householder ideal of learning: Manu seeks authoritative knowledge of the world’s layout and peoples, a kind of puranic “statecraft of understanding” that supports righteous governance and informed ritual life.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated here; however, the focus on sacred trees and regional descriptions often underpins later ritual geography (tīrthas, sacred flora) and place-based sanctity used in temple and pilgrimage traditions.