Shloka 23

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

सुषा नाम पुरी रम्या वरुणस्यापि धीमतः दिश्युत्तरस्यां मेरोस्तु मानसस्यैव मूर्धनि //

Transliteration

suṣā nāma purī ramyā varuṇasyāpi dhīmataḥ diśyuttarasyāṃ merostu mānasasyaiva mūrdhani //

Translation

There is a lovely city named Suṣā, belonging also to the wise Varuṇa; it lies in the northern quarter, upon the very summit of Mānasā on Mount Meru.

Word by Word

• सुषा (suṣā): Suṣā (name of a city)

• नाम (nāma): named

• पुरी (purī): city

• रम्या (ramyā): beautiful, delightful

• वरुणस्य (varuṇasya): of Varuṇa

• अपि (api): also/indeed

• धीमतः (dhīmataḥ): wise, intelligent

• दिशि (diśi): in the direction/quarter

• उत्तरस्याम् (uttarasyām): in the northern (quarter)

• मेरोः (meroḥ): of Meru

• तु (tu): and/indeed

• मानसस्य (mānasasya): of Mānasā (Manasa

• एव (eva): just/indeed

• मूर्धनि (mūrdhani): on the head, summit, top

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Varuṇa
• Meru
• Mānasā (Manasa)

Tags

• Sacred Geography
• Cosmography
• Divine Cities
• Meru
• Puranic Lokas

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it situates Varuṇa’s city within the stable cosmographic layout centered on Meru and Mānasā.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ideal that rulers and householders should know sacred geography—places of divine abodes—since such knowledge underlies pilgrimage, ritual orientation, and cultural memory.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key ritual significance is directional and locational: the city is placed in the northern quarter and on a ‘summit’ (mūrdhan), reflecting Purāṇic emphasis on auspicious orientation and elevated sacred sites.