Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — The Cave-Sanctuary: Jewel-Lake

Devanagari script

*सूत उवाच तत्र यौ तौ महाशृङ्गौ महावर्णौ महाहिमौ तृतीयं तु तयोर्मध्ये शृङ्गमत्यन्तमुच्छ्रितम् //

Transliteration

*sūta uvāca tatra yau tau mahāśṛṅgau mahāvarṇau mahāhimau tṛtīyaṃ tu tayormadhye śṛṅgamatyantamucchritam //

Translation

Sūta said: There stood two great peaks—vast in their heights, splendid in appearance, and heavy with snow; and between those two rose a third summit, exceedingly lofty.

Word by Word

• sūtaḥ uvāca: Sūta said

• tatra: there/in that place

• yau tau: those two

• mahā-śṛṅgau: great peaks/summits

• mahā-varṇau: of great beauty/splendor (lit. great color/appearance)

• mahā-himau: greatly snow-clad/abounding in snow

• tṛtīyam: the third

• tu: and/indeed

• tayoḥ madhye: between them

• śṛṅgam: a peak/summit

• atyantam: exceedingly

• ucchritam: risen high/very lofty.

Speaker

• Suta (Sūta Uvāca)

Entities Mentioned

• Suta
• Himalaya (implied)
• Sacred peaks (implied)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Himalaya
• Sacred Geography
• Pilgrimage
• Puranic Topography

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it functions as sacred-geographical narration, emphasizing the grandeur of the Himalayan landscape rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, such descriptions typically frame tīrtha-yātrā (pilgrimage) and reverence for sacred places—duties often recommended for householders and supported by righteous kings as part of dharmic life.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or temple-rule is stated here; the verse primarily establishes a sacred setting (holy mountains), which in Purāṇic contexts often precedes guidance on worship, pilgrimage rites, or sanctity of place.