Shloka 38

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

प्रणाशं गच्छते यत्र तेषामस्तः स उच्यते सर्वेषामुत्तरे मेरुर् लोकालोकस्य दक्षिणे //

Transliteration

praṇāśaṃ gacchate yatra teṣāmastaḥ sa ucyate sarveṣāmuttare merur lokālokasya dakṣiṇe //

Translation

That region where the luminaries go to disappearance is called their ‘setting’. Mount Meru lies to the north of all the lands, and to the south of the Lokāloka mountain.

Word by Word

praṇāśamto disappearance, to vanishing

gacchategoes, proceeds

yatrawhere

teṣāmof them (i.e., the heavenly bodies such as the Sun and stars)

astaḥsetting, disappearance below the horizon

sa ucyatethat is called

sarveṣāmof all (regions/continents/lands)

uttareto the north

meruḥMount Meru

lokālokasyaof Lokāloka (the boundary mountain between the world and non-world/darkness)

dakṣiṇeto the south.

Speaker

Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (cosmographic description)

Entities Mentioned

Mount MeruLokāloka (mountain)Asta (setting/disappearance of luminaries)

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it explains cosmic order—how luminaries ‘disappear’ at setting (asta) and where Meru and Lokāloka stand as fixed boundaries in Puranic cosmography.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic orientation: rulers and householders are encouraged to align rituals, calendrical observances, and directional practices with the cosmic geography (north–south markers like Meru and Lokāloka).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Directional doctrine: temples, altars, and ritual layouts often privilege the north and cosmic axis symbolism; Meru functions as an archetype for the world-axis, while Lokāloka marks the outer limit—useful for interpreting Vastu orientation and sacred mapping.