Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Prayaga Mahatmya: Trimurti Presence

Devanagari script

सप्तद्वीपाः समुद्राश्च पर्वताश्च महीतले रक्षमाणाश्च तिष्ठन्ति यावदाभूतसंप्लवम् //

Transliteration

saptadvīpāḥ samudrāśca parvatāśca mahītale rakṣamāṇāśca tiṣṭhanti yāvadābhūtasaṃplavam //

Translation

Upon the earth’s surface, the seven continents, the oceans, and the mountains stand firm as guardians, enduring so long as the great dissolution of beings—the cosmic deluge—has not arrived.

Word by Word

• सप्तद्वीपाः (saptadvīpāḥ): the seven islands/continents

• समुद्राः (samudrāḥ): oceans

• च (ca): and

• पर्वताः (parvatāḥ): mountains

• च (ca): and

• महीतले (mahītale): on the surface of the earth

• रक्षमाणाः (rakṣamāṇāḥ): protecting, guarding, sustaining

• च (ca): and

• तिष्ठन्ति (tiṣṭhanti): they stand, remain

• यावत् (yāvat): until, so long as

• आभूतसंप्लवम् (ābhūta-saṃplavam): the dissolution/deluge involving all beings (cosmic inundation, pralaya).

Speaker

• Suta Goswami (narrative voice relaying Purāṇic cosmology; framed within the Matsya Purana’s teaching tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Saptadvipa (Seven Continents)
• Samudra (Oceans)
• Parvata (Mountains)
• Pralaya (Cosmic Dissolution)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Cosmology
• Saptadvipa
• Sacred Geography
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

It states that the world’s structured geography—continents, oceans, and mountains—remains stable and protective until the onset of the great cosmic inundation (pralaya), when that order is finally withdrawn.

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

By portraying mountains and oceans as ‘guardians’ of order, the verse implicitly supports the Purāṇic ethic that rulers and householders should likewise preserve stability—protecting people, boundaries, and dharma—until circumstances of unavoidable collapse arise.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Direct Vāstu or ritual rules are not stated, but the verse reinforces a key Vāstu premise: stable cosmic order (directions, landforms, and natural boundaries) is foundational—temple/town planning ideally respects mountains, waters, and the earth’s protective layout.