Shloka 22

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

वैवस्वतो निवसति यमः संयमने पुरे प्रतीच्यां तु पुनर्मेरोर् मानसस्य तु मूर्धनि //

Transliteration

vaivasvato nivasati yamaḥ saṃyamane pure pratīcyāṃ tu punarmeror mānasasya tu mūrdhani //

Translation

Vaivasvata (Yama), the Lord of Justice, dwells in the city of Saṃyamana; and this abode is situated in the western quarter, upon the summit of Mount Mānasā, a peak of Meru.

Word by Word

• vaivasvataḥ (vaivasvato): Vaivasvata, son of Vivasvān—i.e., Yama

• yamaḥ: Yama, lord of restraint/death and justice

• nivasati: dwells, resides

• saṃyamane: in Saṃyamana (the city/realm of restraint)

• pure: in the city

• pratīcyām: in the west, western direction

• tu: and/indeed

• punaḥ: again/furthermore

• meroḥ: of Meru

• mānasasya: of Mānasā (a named peak/region associated with Meru)

• mūrdhani: on the head/summit/top.

Speaker

• Suta (Purana narrator) describing cosmography within the Matsya Purana’s discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Yama (Vaivasvata)
• Saṃyamana-purī
• Meru
• Mānasā (peak/region)

Tags

• Cosmography
• Sacred Geography
• Directions
• Yama
• Meru

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it belongs to cosmography, mapping where divine realms (like Yama’s Saṃyamana) are located within the ordered universe.

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

By locating Yama—the cosmic judge—it reinforces the Purāṇic idea that moral law and accountability are built into the universe, supporting dharma-based conduct for rulers and householders.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No temple-building rule is stated, but the directional placement (west) and sacred topography (Meru) reflect the Purāṇic habit of linking directionality to ritual cosmology—useful background for orientation concepts later seen in Vastu traditions.