Matsya Purana — Description of Atri’s Hermitage: Sacred Grove Planning, Shloka 65

Devanagari script

प्रणालिकानि चोष्णानि शीतलानि च भागशः कन्दराणि च शैलस्य सुसेव्यानि पदे पदे //

Transliteration

praṇālikāni coṣṇāni śītalāni ca bhāgaśaḥ kandarāṇi ca śailasya susevyāni pade pade //

Translation

Es sollen Wasserkanäle vorhanden sein—teils warm, teils kühl—nach rechtem Maß verteilt; und die Höhlen und Grotten des Berges sollen auf Schritt und Tritt angenehm und gut nutzbar gemacht werden.

Word by Word

• praṇālikāni: channels/drains/water-courses

• ca: and

• uṣṇāni: warm (waters/flows)

• śītalāni: cool (waters/flows)

• ca: and

• bhāgaśaḥ: in parts/proportionately/section by section

• kandarāṇi: caves, grottoes, ravines

• ca: and

• śailasya: of the mountain

• su-sevyāni: well-suited for use/pleasant to resort to, comfortably serviceable

• pade pade: at every step, in every place along the way

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Site Planning
• Water Management
• Mountain Retreat
• Landscape Design

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on practical Vastu-style site planning—especially arranging water-courses and making natural features like caves usable.

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

It reflects the duty to create habitable, healthful, and orderly environments—by managing water, pathways, and shelters—an aspect of righteous governance and responsible household/estate planning.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it recommends planned drainage/water-channel systems (praṇālikā) and the enhancement of natural mountain features (kandarā) so the site remains comfortable and accessible throughout.