Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

तारकासंनिवेशस्य दिवि यावत्तु मण्डलम् पर्याप्तसंनिवेशस्य भूमेस्तावत्तु मण्डलम् //

Transliteration

tārakāsaṃniveśasya divi yāvattu maṇḍalam paryāptasaṃniveśasya bhūmestāvattu maṇḍalam //

Translation

As far as the circular expanse of the star-arrangement extends in the sky, so far extends the circular expanse of the earth’s well-ordered arrangement.

Word by Word

• तारका (tārakā): stars

• संनिवेशस्य (saṃniveśasya): of the arrangement/placement

• दिवि (divi): in the sky

• यावत् (yāvat): as far as/as much as

• तु (tu): indeed/and

• मण्डलम् (maṇḍalam): circular region/disc/sphere

• पर्याप्त (paryāpta): adequate, complete, well-disposed

• भूमेः (bhūmeḥ): of the earth

• तावत् (tāvat): just so much/that far

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhūmi (Earth)
• Tārakā (stars)
• Maṇḍala (cosmic/terrestrial disc)

Tags

• Cosmography
• Puranic geography
• Maṇḍala
• Vastuvidya
• Sacred measurements

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it presents a cosmographic correspondence—earth’s ordered disc is described as matching the extent of the starry mandala in the sky.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ideal of governance and household life rooted in cosmic order: proper planning, boundaries, and orientation should mirror a well-arranged universe.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key idea is “maṇḍala” and “saṃniveśa” (ordered layout): in Vāstu and ritual mandalas, terrestrial planning is framed as an imitation of celestial order, guiding proportional layout and orientation.