Shloka 77

Devanagari script

वलयाकारम् एकैकं तयोर् वर्षं तथा गिरिः

Transliteration

valayākāram ekaikaṃ tayor varṣaṃ tathā giriḥ

Translation

Each of the two—both the varṣa and the encircling mountain—stands as a distinct ring-shaped belt, set one after another in ordered formation.

Word by Word

• वलयाकारम्: ring-shaped
• वलयाकारम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वलय-आकार (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कर्मधारय/तत्पुरुषभावः (वलयस्य आकारः) विशेषणम्

• एकैकम्: each (one by one)
• एकैकम्: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: एक-एक (प्रातिपदिक; समास)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः (एकश्च एकश्च) अर्थतः ‘each’

• तयोः: of the two
• तयोः: Shashthi-sambandha (Genitive relation/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, द्विवचन

• वर्षम्: a varṣa (region)
• वर्षम्: Karma (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• तथा: and likewise
• तथा: Sambandha (Connector/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तथा (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/समुच्चयार्थ (adverb/conjunctive)

• गिरिः: the mountain
• गिरिः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गिरि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Sage Parāśara (to Maitreya)

Parashara-Maitreya Dialogue

Speaker: Parasara

Topic: The ring-like (valayākāra) ordered arrangement of the two varṣas and the encircling mountain belts

Teaching: Cosmological

Quality: clarifying

Cosmological Context

Cosmic Hierarchy: Dvipas

Characters & Entities

• Parāśara
• Maitreya
• varṣa
• giri (mountain-range)

FAQs

What is the significance of the ring-shaped (valayākāra) arrangement in the Vishnu Purana?

It conveys an ordered, concentric cosmic design in which regions (varṣas) and mountain-belts are arranged systematically, reflecting the universe as a governed structure rather than a random expanse.

How does Sage Parāśara explain Purāṇic geography to Maitreya in this context?

He describes the world’s divisions as successive belts—varṣas and mountain-ranges—emphasizing their patterned placement and mutual relationship as paired, repeating formations.

What is the theological importance of Lord Vishnu in this cosmological description?

Even when Vishnu is not named in the line, the Purāṇic cosmos is presented as operating through a higher sovereignty—Vishnu as the sustaining Supreme Reality—manifesting order, measure, and intelligible structure.