Shloka 18
सप्तद्वीप-समुद्र-प्रमाणम्: प्लक्षादि-द्वीपवर्णनं, लोकालोक-सीमा, चन्द्र-समुद्र-वृद्धिक्षयः
जम्बूवृक्षप्रमाणस् तु तन्मध्ये सुमहांस् तरुः प्लक्षस् तन्नामसंज्ञो ऽयं प्लक्षद्वीपो द्विजोत्तम
jambūvṛkṣapramāṇas tu tanmadhye sumahāṃs taruḥ plakṣas tannāmasaṃjño 'yaṃ plakṣadvīpo dvijottama
In its very center stands a mighty tree, vast in measure like the Jambū tree. That great tree is called Plakṣa; and from its name, O best of the twice-born, this realm is known as Plakṣa-dvīpa.
Sage Parāśara
Speaker: Parasara
Topic: Cosmography of Plakṣadvīpa—its central tree and naming rationale
Teaching: Cosmological
Quality: descriptive
Cosmic Hierarchy: Dvipas
FAQs
This verse states that Plakṣa-dvīpa is named after the immense central Plakṣa tree, showing how each dvīpa is identified through a defining cosmic landmark.
Parāśara presents a systematic cosmography where a principal feature—here, the central tree—gives the dvīpa its name, indicating an ordered and intelligible universe.
Even when describing geography, the Purana’s intent is to depict a cosmos arranged and sustained by the Supreme Reality, Vishnu—an ordered world that reflects divine governance rather than randomness.