Shloka 74

Matsya Purana — Kailasa

Devanagari script

उद्गायता उदीच्यां तु अवगाढा महोदधिम् चक्रो बधिरकश्चैव तथा नारदपर्वतः //

Transliteration

udgāyatā udīcyāṃ tu avagāḍhā mahodadhim cakro badhirakaścaiva tathā nāradaparvataḥ //

Translation

In the northern quarter lies Udgāyatā; Avagāḍha is also there, reaching down to the great ocean. Likewise are Cakra and Badhiraka, and also the mountain known as Nārada.

Word by Word

• उद्गायता (udgāyatā): Udgāyatā (a sacred place/region)

• उदीच्यां (udīcyām): in the northern direction

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• अवगाढा (avagāḍhā): Avagāḍhā (a place/region

• महोदधिम् (mahodadhim): the great ocean

• चक्रः (cakraḥ): Cakra (a place-name

• बधिरकः (badhirakaḥ): Badhiraka (a place-name

• च (ca): and

• एव (eva): also/indeed

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• नारदपर्वतः (nāradaparvataḥ): Nārada mountain (a mountain associated with Nārada).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (to Vaivasvata Manu), within a sacred-geography (tīrtha/kshetra) listing context

Entities Mentioned

• Nārada
• Nārada-parvata
• Udīcya (Northern quarter)
• Mahodadhi (Great Ocean)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred Geography
• Udīcya
• Pilgrimage
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it functions as a geographical catalogue of northern sacred places, using the phrase “great ocean” (mahodadhi) as a landmark rather than a flood narrative.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ideal of dharma through tīrtha-yātrā (pilgrimage): kings and householders are encouraged to know and honor sacred regions, supporting pilgrimage, temples, and the maintenance of holy sites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architectural rules are not stated here; the ritual takeaway is tīrtha-identification—these named sites (and Nārada mountain) are presented as recognized sacred locales for pilgrimage, worship, and merit-accruing observances.