Shloka 24

Matsya Purana — Kailasa

Devanagari script

अस्त्युत्तरेण कैलासाच् छिवः सर्वौषधो गिरिः गौरं तु पर्वतश्रेष्ठं हरितालमयं प्रति //

Transliteration

astyuttareṇa kailāsāc chivaḥ sarvauṣadho giriḥ gauraṃ tu parvataśreṣṭhaṃ haritālamayaṃ prati //

Translation

To the north of Kailāsa there is a mountain called Śiva, abundant in every kind of medicinal herb; and facing it stands the excellent mountain Gaura, as though made of haritāla (yellow orpiment).

Word by Word

• asti: there is

• uttareṇa: to the north of

• kailāsāt: from/of Kailāsa

• śivaḥ: (named) Śiva / auspicious

• sarva-auṣadhaḥ: possessing all medicinal herbs

• giriḥ: mountain

• gauram: (named) Gaura / the fair (mountain)

• tu: and/indeed

• parvata-śreṣṭham: the best of mountains

• haritāla-mayam: consisting of haritāla (yellow orpiment)

• prati: opposite, facing, in front of

Speaker

• Suta (narrating Purāṇic sacred geography in response to the sages’ inquiry)

Entities Mentioned

• Kailasa
• Shiva (as a mountain-name)
• Gaura (as a mountain-name)
• Haritala (orpiment)

Tags

• Sacred Geography
• Himalaya
• Tirtha
• Medicinal Herbs
• Minerals

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it maps sacred Himalayan geography, highlighting mountains characterized by healing herbs and distinctive minerals.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic living by pointing to sacred landscapes associated with purity and healing—useful for a king’s protection of resources (herbs/minerals) and for householders undertaking pilgrimage and health-giving observances.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, the verse frames the Kailāsa region as an auspicious sacred zone; architecturally, such descriptions are often used in Vāstu thought to value sites near ‘auspicious’ mountains and pure resources, though no direct building rule is stated here.