Shloka 83

Matsya Purana — Solar–Lunar Motions

Devanagari script

अभ्यन्तरे प्रकाशन्ते लोकालोकस्य वै गिरेः एतावानेव लोकस्तु निरालोकस्ततः परम् //

Transliteration

abhyantare prakāśante lokālokasya vai gireḥ etāvāneva lokastu nirālokastataḥ param //

Translation

Within the enclosure of the Lokāloka mountain, indeed, the worlds are illumined; only so far extends the world known to beings—beyond that lies the region devoid of light.

Word by Word

• अभ्यन्तरे (abhyantare): within, in the interior

• प्रकाशन्ते (prakāśante): shine, are illumined

• लोकालोकस्य (lokālokasya): of Lokāloka (the boundary between light and darkness)

• वै (vai): indeed

• गिरेः (gireḥ): of the mountain

• एतावान् (etāvān): to this extent, so far

• एव (eva): only, indeed

• लोकः (lokaḥ): the world(s), inhabited realm

• तु (tu): but/indeed

• निरालोकः (nirālokaḥ): without light, dark

• ततः (tataḥ): from there, beyond that

• परम् (param): further, beyond.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lokāloka (mountain)
• Loka (worlds)

Tags

• Cosmology
• Puranic Geography
• Lokāloka
• Darkness
• Creation

FAQs

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

It maps cosmic space by stating that the illumined, knowable worlds lie within Lokāloka’s boundary, while beyond it is a lightless expanse—an image often used in Purāṇic cosmology to describe the limits of manifested order rather than a specific pralaya event.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma by defining the ‘loka’—the ordered realm where ritual, governance, and social duty operate; beyond that boundary is portrayed as uninhabitable darkness, emphasizing life’s obligations within the structured world.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple rule is stated, but the verse reflects a core ritual idea: sacred order is associated with light and demarcated space—principles echoed in temple orientation, enclosure boundaries, and the symbolism of moving from darkness to illumination.