Shloka 18

Matsya Purana — Rites for Consecrating and Celebrating Trees

Devanagari script

यश्चैकमपि राजेन्द्र वृक्षं संस्थापयेन्नरः सो ऽपि स्वर्गे वसेद्राजन् यावदिन्द्रायुतत्रयम् //

Transliteration

yaścaikamapi rājendra vṛkṣaṃ saṃsthāpayennaraḥ so 'pi svarge vasedrājan yāvadindrāyutatrayam //

Translation

يا خيرَ الملوك، من أقامَ ولو شجرةً واحدة، فإن ذلك الرجل أيضًا، أيها الملك، يَسكنُ السماءَ مدةَ ثلاثِ «أيوتا» من سنين إندرا (وهي مدةٌ شاسعةٌ جدًّا بمقياس أعوام إندرا).

Word by Word

• yaḥ: whoever

• ca: and

• ekam api: even one

• rājendra: O lord of kings

• vṛkṣam: a tree

• saṃsthāpayet: should establish/plant and set up to grow

• naraḥ: a man/person

• saḥ api: he also

• svarge: in heaven

• vaset: dwells

• rājan: O king

• yāvat: for as long as

• indrāyuta-trayam: three ayutas of Indra (a very large heavenly measure of time)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (addressed as rājendra/rājan)

Entities Mentioned

• Indra
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Lord Matsya

Tags

• Dharma
• Dana
• Vr̥kṣa-ropana
• Punya
• Svarga

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on dharma through public welfare—specifically the spiritual merit (puṇya) gained by establishing a tree.

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

It frames tree-planting as a high-value righteous act. For kings, it supports rajadharma through public benefit (shade, fruit, ecological stability); for householders, it is an accessible act of dana-like merit with long-lasting results.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or temple rule is stated, but the verse aligns with Purāṇic public-works ethics: establishing enduring supports (like trees) is treated as a meritorious foundation for settlements, roadsides, groves, and sacred precincts.