Shloka 48

Matsya Purana — Kailasa

Devanagari script

शुनामुखांश्चोर्दमरून् सिन्धुरेतान्निषेवते गन्धर्वान्किन्नरान्यक्षान् रक्षोविद्याधरोरगान् //

Transliteration

śunāmukhāṃścordamarūn sindhuretānniṣevate gandharvānkinnarānyakṣān rakṣovidyādharoragān //

Translation

The Sindhu region is inhabited by the Śunāmukhas and the Urdamarus; there also dwell the Gandharvas, Kinnaras, Yakṣas, Rākṣasas, Vidyādharas, and the serpent-beings (Nāgas).

Word by Word

• śunāmukhān: the Śunāmukhas (a named people/tribe)

• ca: and

• urdamarūn: the Urdamarus (a named people/tribe)

• sindhu: the Sindhu/Indus region

• etān: these (peoples)

• niṣevate: is frequented/inhabited by

• gandharvān: Gandharvas (celestial musicians)

• kinnarān: Kinnaras (mythic semi-divine beings)

• yakṣān: Yakṣas (nature-spirits/guardians of wealth)

• rakṣaḥ: Rākṣasas (demonic/hostile beings)

• vidyādharān: Vidyādharas (bearers of supernatural knowledge)

• oragān: serpent-beings, Nāgas

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s cosmographic account in a Purāṇic discourse style)

Entities Mentioned

• Sindhu
• Gandharva
• Kinnara
• Yakṣa
• Rākṣasa
• Vidyādhara
• Oraga (Nāga)

Tags

• Sacred Geography
• Cosmography
• Mythic Peoples
• Sindhu Region
• Purāṇic Ethnography

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a cosmographic/ethnographic listing of who inhabits particular regions (here, the Sindhu area), mixing human tribes with semi-divine classes.

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

Indirectly, it frames the king’s world as populated by diverse peoples and non-human classes; such catalogues support Purāṇic ideas of governance and diplomacy across frontier regions, though no explicit rājadharma rule is stated in this verse.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is taught here; the takeaway is geographic-cosmological context—certain regions are traditionally said to be associated with Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Nāgas, and similar beings.