Shloka 20

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

पर्यासपरिमाणं च भूमेस्तुल्यं दिवः स्मृतम् मेरोः प्राच्यां दिशायां तु मानसोत्तरमूर्धनि //

Transliteration

paryāsaparimāṇaṃ ca bhūmestulyaṃ divaḥ smṛtam meroḥ prācyāṃ diśāyāṃ tu mānasottaramūrdhani //

Translation

The extent of the heavens is remembered to be equal to the extent of the earth. And to the east of Mount Meru—upon the northern summit of the mountain called Mānasottara—this measure is to be understood.

Word by Word

• पर्यास-परिमाणम्: the surrounding extent/measure

• च: and

• भूमेः: of the earth

• तुल्यम्: equal

• दिवः: of heaven/the celestial region

• स्मृतम्: is remembered/traditionally stated

• मेरोः: of Mount Meru

• प्राच्याम्: in the eastern (direction)

• दिशायाम्: direction/quarter

• तु: indeed/and

• मानसोत्तर-मूर्धनि: on the summit (mūrdhan) of Mānasottara (a cosmic boundary mountain)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Mount Meru
• Mānasottara

Tags

• Cosmography
• Bhuvana-Kosha
• Meru
• Directions
• Sacred Geography

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it belongs to cosmography, stating a traditional proportional measure: the expanse of the heavenly realm is described as equal to that of the earth, anchored with reference points like Meru and Mānasottara.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic life by grounding ritual orientation and sacred geography—knowledge used by kings and householders for yajña layouts, pilgrimage understanding, and aligning public works with traditional cosmological directions.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse highlights directional and axial reference (east of Meru; Mānasottara summit), a cosmological template that informs ritual mandalas and orientation principles later mirrored in Vastu Shastra’s concern with quarters (dik) and sacred axes.