Matsya Purana — Description of Atri’s Hermitage: Sacred Grove Planning, Shloka 57

Devanagari script

सदंष्ट्रारामसरभान् क्रौञ्चाकारकशम्बरान् करालान्कृतमालांश्च कालपुच्छांश्च तोरणान् //

Transliteration

sadaṃṣṭrārāmasarabhān krauñcākārakaśambarān karālānkṛtamālāṃśca kālapucchāṃśca toraṇān //

Translation

(Man soll gestalten) Torbögen und Zierelemente wie: grimmige, fangzähnige Gestalten, anmutige śarabha‑Motive, hirschartige Formen nach Art des krauñca‑Vogels, schaurige weit aufgerissene Gesichter, Girlanden‑Ornamente und auch Bögen mit dem Merkmal „Schwarzschwanz“ (dunkler Büschel/schwarzes Ende).

Word by Word

• sa-daṃṣṭra: with fangs, fanged

• ārāma: delightful, pleasing, garden-like (here: charming/ornamental)

• śarabha: the mythic śarabha (a powerful beast motif)

• krauñca-ākāra: having the form of a krauñca bird

• kaśambara: deer/antelope (as a sculptural motif)

• karāla: terrible, gaping, grim-visaged

• kṛta-mālā: made as garlands, garland-work ornament

• kāla-puccha: black-tailed/dark-ended (a decorative feature/tuft)

• toraṇa: archway, ornamental gateway

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Śarabha
• Krauñca
• Toraṇa

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Temple Architecture
• Iconography
• Ornamentation
• Toraṇa

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is technical Vastu/ornamentation guidance, listing specific decorative forms for architectural elements like toraṇas (gateways).

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

It supports dharmic patronage: a king (or wealthy householder) is encouraged to commission properly designed sacred/public structures, where correct ornamental forms are part of maintaining ritual and cultural order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies acceptable motif-types for architectural decoration—especially toraṇas—indicating that temple/gateway ornamentation should follow recognized iconographic categories (animal forms, fierce faces, garland patterns).