Shloka 125

Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth

Devanagari script

*नारद उवाच अहो ऽवतारिताः सर्वे संनिवेशे महागिरे पृथुत्वं मनसा तुल्यं कन्दराणां तथाचल //

Transliteration

*nārada uvāca aho 'vatāritāḥ sarve saṃniveśe mahāgire pṛthutvaṃ manasā tulyaṃ kandarāṇāṃ tathācala //

Translation

Nārada said: “Ah! In the very layout of this great mountain, everything has been set down and described. Its breadth is as though measured by the mind itself—so too, O mountain, are your caves duly accounted for.”

Word by Word

• nārada uvāca: Nārada said

• aho: ah!/indeed

• avatāritāḥ: set down, brought forth, described in detail

• sarve: all (features)

• saṃniveśe: in the arrangement/layout

• mahāgire: of the great mountain

• pṛthutvam: breadth/expanse

• manasā: by the mind, mentally

• tulyam: comparable, as if equal (to a measure)

• kandarāṇām: of caves/grottos

• tathā: likewise/so too

• acala: O mountain/immovable one

Speaker

• Narada

Entities Mentioned

• Narada
• Mahagiri (great mountain)
• Kandara (caves)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Sacred Geography
• Mountain Caves
• Site Layout
• Puranic Description

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya directly; it focuses on describing and “setting down” the features of a great mountain—its layout, breadth, and caves—indicating a descriptive, geographic/structural passage rather than a cosmic dissolution theme.

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

Indirectly, it supports the ideal of careful assessment and documentation of terrain—useful for a king’s duties in settlement planning, fortification, and resource management, and for householders when choosing safe, auspicious land and natural shelters (like caves) in accordance with traditional guidance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key significance is “saṃniveśa” (layout/arrangement): it implies systematic surveying of a site—measuring breadth/extent and accounting for natural features like caves—an approach aligned with Vastuvidya principles used in selecting and organizing sacred or habitable spaces.