Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Ritual Procedure and Merit of Donating the Ratnācala

Devanagari script

मध्यमः पञ्चशतिकस् त्रिशतेनाधमः स्मृतः चतुर्थांशेन विष्कम्भपर्वताः स्युः समन्ततः //

Transliteration

madhyamaḥ pañcaśatikas triśatenādhamaḥ smṛtaḥ caturthāṃśena viṣkambhaparvatāḥ syuḥ samantataḥ //

Translation

The ‘middling’ measure is said to be five hundred (yojanas), and the ‘lower’ measure is remembered as three hundred. On every side, the Viṣkambha mountains are to be measured by one-fourth of the relevant standard.

Word by Word

• madhyamaḥ: the middle (class/measure)

• pañcaśatikaḥ: of five hundred

• triśatena: by/at three hundred

• adhamaḥ: the lower (class/measure)

• smṛtaḥ: is stated/remembered (in tradition)

• caturthāṃśena: by one-fourth part

• viṣkambha-parvatāḥ: the Viṣkambha mountains (supporting/buttress mountains)

• syuḥ: are/should be

• samantataḥ: on all sides/everywhere

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s cosmographic account; traditionally within the Manu–Matsya teaching frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Viṣkambha-parvatāḥ

Tags

• Sacred Geography
• Cosmography
• Measurements
• Yojana
• Matsya Purana Vastu Shastra tips

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a cosmographic/measurement section, defining traditional size-classes and proportional standards for mountains.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ideal of orderly knowledge—standard measures and classifications that underpin dharmic governance (mapping realms, describing sacred lands) and ritual geography.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key idea is proportional measurement—especially the ‘one-fourth’ rule—mirroring Vāstu practice where quarter-based ratios guide layout, extent, and symmetry in sacred planning.