Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

विस्तारं त्रिगुणं चैव पृथिव्यन्तरमण्डलम् गणितं योजनानां तु कोट्यस्त्वेकादश स्मृताः //

Transliteration

vistāraṃ triguṇaṃ caiva pṛthivyantaramaṇḍalam gaṇitaṃ yojanānāṃ tu koṭyastvekādaśa smṛtāḥ //

Translation

The inner terrestrial disc (pṛthivī-antara-maṇḍala) is said to have an extent threefold (in measure); and its computed measure, in yojanas, is remembered as eleven koṭis.

Word by Word

• विस्तारम् (vistāram): extent, breadth, total measure

• त्रिगुणम् (triguṇam): threefold, tripled

• च (ca): and

• एव (eva): indeed

• पृथिव्यन्तरमण्डलम् (pṛthivy-antara-maṇḍalam): the inner circle/disc of the earth (cosmographic terrestrial ring)

• गणितम् (gaṇitam): computed, calculated

• योजनानाम् (yojanānām): of yojanas (a unit of distance)

• तु (tu): indeed, moreover

• कोट्यः (koṭyaḥ): koṭis (ten million units)

• त्व् (tv): but/indeed (emphatic particle in sandhi)

• एकादश (ekādaśa): eleven

• स्मृताः (smṛtāḥ): remembered, traditionally stated.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Pṛthivī
• Yojana
• Koṭi

Tags

• Cosmography
• Puranic geography
• Sacred measures
• Bhuvana-kosha
• Yojana

FAQs

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

It does not directly describe pralaya; it preserves a traditional cosmographic measurement of the earth’s inner disc, showing how the Purana encodes the created world through sacred numerical scales.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purana’s ideal of ordered knowledge: rulers and householders are encouraged to uphold learning (śāstra-jñāna) and correct reckoning of measures used in administration, travel, and ritual geography.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse is primarily cosmographic, but its emphasis on precise measure aligns with Vastu Shastra reasoning—rituals and temple planning often mirror cosmic order through standardized units and proportional computation.