Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — Emergence of Brahmā from the Golden Lotus and the Lotus-Form Earth

Devanagari script

स्मृतानि यानि पद्मस्य केसराणि समन्ततः असंख्येयाः पृथिव्यास्ते विश्वे वै धातुपर्वताः //

Transliteration

smṛtāni yāni padmasya kesarāṇi samantataḥ asaṃkhyeyāḥ pṛthivyāste viśve vai dhātuparvatāḥ //

Translation

All around, the filaments of the cosmic lotus are remembered (to be) innumerable; likewise, in this universe, the earth’s dhātu-mountains—mountains of ores and mineral strata—are indeed countless.

Word by Word

• स्मृतानि (smṛtāni): are remembered/are described in tradition

• यानि (yāni): which

• पद्मस्य (padmasya): of the lotus

• केसराणि (kesarāṇi): filaments/stamens

• समन्ततः (samantataḥ): on all sides/everywhere

• असंख्येयाः (asaṃkhyeyāḥ): innumerable

• पृथिव्याः (pṛthivyāḥ): of the earth

• ते (te): those

• विश्वे (viśve): in the universe/world-system

• वै (vai): indeed

• धातुपर्वताः (dhātu-parvatāḥ): mineral/ore-bearing mountains

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution within the Matsya–Manu dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Pṛthivī
• Padma (cosmic lotus)
• Dhātu-parvata

Tags

• Cosmology
• Sacred Geography
• Puranic Creation Imagery
• Mountains
• Dhatus (minerals)

FAQs

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

It emphasizes the vast, innumerable structure of the cosmos—using the lotus-filament metaphor—supporting a Puranic worldview in which creation is expansive and layered; it is descriptive of cosmic order rather than a direct pralaya event.

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

Indirectly, it grounds dharma in a sense of cosmic scale: rulers and householders are urged by Purāṇic teaching to govern and live with humility and order, recognizing the world’s vastness and the limited scope of personal power.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated, but the lotus-and-world-structure imagery often underlies temple symbolism (mandala/lotus layouts) and supports the idea that sacred architecture mirrors cosmic order.