Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Pṛthu

Devanagari script

किम् अर्थं च कृता संज्ञा भूमेः किं पारिभाषिकी गौर् इतीयं च विख्याता सूत कस्माद्ब्रवीहि नः //

Transliteration

kim arthaṃ ca kṛtā saṃjñā bhūmeḥ kiṃ pāribhāṣikī gaur itīyaṃ ca vikhyātā sūta kasmādbravīhi naḥ //

Translation

For what reason was this designation for the Earth established, and what is its technical (traditional) definition? And why is she renowned by the name ‘Gauḥ’ (“Cow”)? O Sūta, tell us the reason.

Word by Word

• kim: what?

• arthaṃ: purpose/meaning

• ca: and

• kṛtā: made/established

• saṃjñā: appellation/designation

• bhūmeḥ: of the Earth

• kim: what?

• pāribhāṣikī: technical/terminological (as per convention)

• gauḥ: ‘Gauḥ’ (cow

• iti: thus

• iyaṃ: this (she)

• ca: and

• vikhyātā: well-known/renowned

• sūta: O Sūta (charioteer-bard

• kasmāt: from what cause/why

• bravīhi: tell (imperative)

• naḥ: to us.

Speaker

• Sages (ṛṣis) addressing Sūta (Sūta Gosvāmin)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhūmi (Earth)
• Sūta

Tags

• Terminology
• Cosmology
• Bhūmi
• Puranic Exegesis
• Sacred Names

FAQs

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

Directly, it does not describe pralaya; it frames a doctrinal inquiry into sacred nomenclature—how and why the Earth is named—often a prelude to cosmological explanations in Purāṇic discourse.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma-based living by insisting on correct understanding of sacred terms and cosmological concepts; such knowledge underlies righteous governance and household ritual worldview, even though no explicit royal/householder duty is stated here.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or temple rule is stated, but the focus on technical definition (pāribhāṣikī) aligns with how later Vāstu/ritual manuals define terms precisely before prescribing measurements, rites, or iconographic standards.