Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

तथा शतसहस्राणाम् एकोननवतिं पुनः पञ्चाशच्च सहस्राणि पृथिव्यर्धस्य विस्तरः //

Transliteration

tathā śatasahasrāṇām ekonanavatiṃ punaḥ pañcāśacca sahasrāṇi pṛthivyardhasya vistaraḥ //

Translation

Likewise, the breadth (extent) of half of the earth is said to be ninety-nine hundred-thousands, and again fifty thousand (yojanas).

Word by Word

• tathā: likewise

• śata-sahasrāṇām: of hundred-thousands (i.e., units of 100,000)

• ekona-navatiṃ: one less than a hundred (i.e., 99)

• punaḥ: again/further

• pañcāśat ca: and fifty

• sahasrāṇi: thousands

• pṛthivy-ardhasya: of half of the earth

• vistaraḥ: breadth/extent/expanse

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching; cosmographical measure conveyed within the Matsya–Manu discourse tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Pṛthivī (Earth)

Tags

• Cosmography
• Puranic Geography
• Sacred Measurements
• Yojana
• Matsya Purana Earth Extent

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to cosmography, giving a numerical measure for the breadth/extent of half the earth in traditional large units (commonly understood as yojanas).

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

Indirectly, such cosmographical measures support the Purāṇic worldview used in royal administration (mapping realms, pilgrimage circuits, boundaries) and in householder practice (understanding sacred geography tied to tīrthas and ritual orientation).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse provides a scale-based conception of space; Vāstu and temple planning texts often rely on standardized measures, and Purāṇic cosmography supplies the sacred macro-scale framework that mirrors micro-scale planning (mandala, orientation, and proportional thinking).