Shloka 73

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

आयुष्प्रमाणं जीवन्ति ये तु वर्ष इलावृते मेरोस्तु दक्षिणे पार्श्वे निषधस्योत्तरेण वा //

Transliteration

āyuṣpramāṇaṃ jīvanti ye tu varṣa ilāvṛte merostu dakṣiṇe pārśve niṣadhasyottareṇa vā //

Translation

Those beings who dwell in the region of Ilāvṛta—on the southern flank of Mount Meru, or to the north of the Niṣadha range—live out their full, allotted span of life.

Word by Word

• āyuṣ-pramāṇam: the full measure of life (allotted lifespan)

• jīvanti: they live

• ye: those who

• tu: indeed/for

• varṣe: in the region/tract (varṣa)

• ilā-vṛte: in Ilāvṛta (the central region around Meru)

• meroḥ: of Meru

• tu: and/indeed

• dakṣiṇe: on the southern

• pārśve: side/flank

• niṣadhasya: of (Mount) Niṣadha

• uttareṇa: to the north of

• vā: or

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purāṇa’s cosmography in the dialogue framework)

Entities Mentioned

• Ilāvṛta
• Meru
• Niṣadha

Tags

• Cosmography
• Jambudvipa
• Meru
• Puranic geography
• Lifespan

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it belongs to cosmography, stating that inhabitants of Ilāvṛta (near Meru and north of Niṣadha) live for their full, divinely allotted lifespan.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic worldview that different regions have different conditions of life; a king’s dharma includes governing in harmony with the cosmic order (deśa–kāla–niyati), acknowledging that human limits vary by realm.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the verse functions as a geographic-lifespan note within the Matsya Purāṇa’s mapping of sacred space around Meru.