Shloka 9

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

अयं तु नवमस्तेषां द्वीपः सागरसंवृतः योजनानां सहस्रं तु द्वीपो ऽयं दक्षिणोत्तरः //

Transliteration

ayaṃ tu navamasteṣāṃ dvīpaḥ sāgarasaṃvṛtaḥ yojanānāṃ sahasraṃ tu dvīpo 'yaṃ dakṣiṇottaraḥ //

Translation

This, indeed, is the ninth of those dvīpas, encircled by the ocean. This island extends a thousand yojanas in breadth, stretching from south to north.

Word by Word

• ayam: this

• tu: indeed/and

• navamaḥ: the ninth

• teṣām: of them/among those

• dvīpaḥ: island/continent

• sāgara-saṃvṛtaḥ: surrounded by the ocean

• yojanānām: of yojanas (a measure of distance)

• sahasram: a thousand

• dvīpaḥ ayam: this island

• dakṣiṇa-uttaraḥ: south-to-north (in extent/orientation)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (cosmographic teaching context)

Entities Mentioned

• Dvīpa
• Sāgara (Ocean)
• Yojana (unit of measure)

Tags

• Cosmography
• Puranic Geography
• Bhū-maṇḍala
• Dvīpas
• Sacred Measurements

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it presents cosmographic structure—an island encircled by the ocean—describing the ordered layout of the world rather than dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ideal that rulers and householders should understand sacred geography and traditional measures (yojana) used in pilgrimage routes, boundary descriptions, and ritual land-grants.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key significance is measurement and orientation: the verse emphasizes a quantified extent (thousand yojanas) and a south–north axis, concepts that align with traditional planning principles where scale and cardinal orientation guide layout.