Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — The Gods Seek Śiva’s Refuge: The Cosmic Chariot Prepared for the Burning of T...

Devanagari script

धरां कूबरकौ द्वौ तु रुद्रपार्श्वचरावुभौ अधिष्ठानं शिरो मेरोर् अक्षो मन्दर एव च //

Transliteration

dharāṃ kūbarakau dvau tu rudrapārśvacarāvubhau adhiṣṭhānaṃ śiro meror akṣo mandara eva ca //

Translation

The two—Dharā and Kūbara—are attendants stationed at Rudra’s side. They constitute the base and the head of Mount Meru; and Mandara itself is the axis (pivot).

Word by Word

• धराम् (dharām): Dharā (name/personified support)

• कूबरकौ (kūbarakau): Kūbara (name), the pair ‘Dharā and Kūbara’

• द्वौ (dvau): two

• तु (tu): indeed

• रुद्र-पार्श्व-चरौ (rudra-pārśva-carau): those who move/attend at Rudra’s side

• उभौ (ubhau): both

• अधिष्ठानम् (adhiṣṭhānam): base, foundation, supporting seat

• शिरः (śiraḥ): head, summit

• मेरोर् (meror): of Meru

• अक्षः (akṣaḥ): axle, pivot, central axis

• मन्दरः (mandaraḥ): Mandara (mountain)

• एव (eva): precisely/indeed

• च (ca): and.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Rudra (Shiva)
• Dharā
• Kūbara
• Mount Meru
• Mount Mandara

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Iconography
• Sacred Geography
• Cosmology
• Axis Mundi

FAQs

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

Rather than describing Pralaya directly, the verse emphasizes the stable cosmic supports—Meru’s base and summit and Mandara as the axis—ideas often used to explain how the ordered world is structured between cycles.

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

It supports the ethic of maintaining order (dharma) through correct orientation and stable foundations—principles a king applies in city planning and a householder in establishing a properly aligned, well-founded dwelling or shrine.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse encodes a Vastu principle: sacred construction mirrors the cosmos—foundation (adhiṣṭhāna), vertical rise (śiras/summit), and central axis (akṣa). This is used to justify axial planning and central alignment in temple layouts.