Matsya Purana — Description of Atri’s Hermitage: Sacred Grove Planning, Shloka 29

Devanagari script

तथा क्षीरकशाकेन कालशाकेन चाप्यथ शिम्बीधान्यैस्तथा धान्यैः सर्वैर्निरवशेषतः //

Transliteration

tathā kṣīrakaśākena kālaśākena cāpyatha śimbīdhānyaistathā dhānyaiḥ sarvairniravaśeṣataḥ //

Translation

Ebenso mit kṣīraka-Gemüse und auch mit kālaśāka; dazu Hülsenfrüchte und alle Getreidearten, ohne irgendetwas auszulassen.

Word by Word

• tathā: likewise/also

• kṣīraka-śākena: with kṣīraka leafy vegetable/greens

• kāla-śākena: with kālaśāka (a dark/black leafy green)

• ca api atha: and also then/indeed

• śimbī-dhānyaiḥ: with podded grains/legumes (beans, pulses)

• tathā: likewise

• dhānyaiḥ sarvaiḥ: with all grains/cereals

• niravaśeṣataḥ: completely, without remainder, without exception

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this instructional section)

Tags

• Dharma
• Vrata
• Ahara
• Ritual diet
• Purana injunctions

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a prescriptive (dharma/vrata) context and lists permitted food items—greens, legumes, and grains—comprehensively.

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

It supports the householder’s (and ruler’s) dharma by defining orderly, permissible dietary items for religious observance—emphasizing completeness and adherence to prescribed categories of food.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual significance is dietary regulation: the verse enumerates śāka (leafy greens), śimbīdhānya (pulses/legumes), and dhānya (grains) as allowable components in a vrata or purity-oriented regimen.