Shloka 82

Matsya Purana — Kailasa

Devanagari script

वसन्ति नानाजातीनि तेषु सर्वेषु तानि वै इत्येतद्धारयद्विश्वं पृथ्वी जगदिदं स्थिता //

Transliteration

vasanti nānājātīni teṣu sarveṣu tāni vai ityetaddhārayadviśvaṃ pṛthvī jagadidaṃ sthitā //

Translation

Countless kinds of beings dwell upon her; all of them indeed live within her. Thus does the Earth uphold the universe—on her this entire moving world stands established.

Word by Word

• वसन्ति: dwell/abide

• नानाजातीनि: many kinds of species/classes of beings

• तेषु: in/among them (i.e., within those realms/places)

• सर्वेषु: in all (of them)

• तानि: those (beings)

• वै: indeed

• इति: thus

• एतत्: this (fact/principle)

• धारयत्: upholding/supporting

• विश्वम्: the universe/all existence

• पृथ्वी: the Earth

• जगत्: the world (moving creation)

• इदम्: this

• स्थिता: stands/abides/is established

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching on cosmology; framed within the Purana’s discourse tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Pṛthvī (Earth)
• Jagat (the world)
• Viśva (the universe)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Dharana
• Earth
• Creation-order
• Puranic worldview

FAQs

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

It emphasizes the ordered stability of creation: the Earth functions as the sustaining base where the many species reside, highlighting cosmic maintenance rather than dissolution.

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

By portraying Earth as the common support of all beings, it implies a dharmic duty of protection and stewardship—kings safeguard the realm and resources, and householders live responsibly so that all life can continue to dwell securely.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Though not a direct Vāstu rule, it provides the Vāstu principle of “support and stability”: building, settlement planning, and ritual space are ideally conceived as microcosms that must ‘uphold’ life—firm foundations and harmonious ordering reflect the Earth’s sustaining role.