Matsya Purana — Description of Atri’s Hermitage: Sacred Grove Planning, Shloka 7

Devanagari script

हस्तिकर्णैः सुमनसैः कोविदारैः सुपुष्पितैः प्राचीनामलकैश्चापि धनकैः समराटकैः //

Transliteration

hastikarṇaiḥ sumanasaiḥ kovidāraiḥ supuṣpitaiḥ prācīnāmalakaiścāpi dhanakaiḥ samarāṭakaiḥ //

Translation

Mit Hastikarṇa-Bäumen, mit duftenden Sumanas-Blüten und mit reich blühenden Kovidāra-Bäumen; ferner mit alten, fest etablierten Āmalaka-Bäumen, zusammen mit Dhanaka- und Samarāṭaka-Bäumen.

Word by Word

• हस्तिकर्णैः: with hastikarṇa trees (elephant-ear–leafed species)

• सुमनसैः: with sumanas (pleasant/fragrant flowers, a garden-flower)

• कोविदारैः: with kovidāra trees (Bauhinia)

• सुपुष्पितैः: well-flowered, in full bloom

• प्राचीन-आमलकैः: with old/long-established āmalaka trees (Indian gooseberry)

• च अपि: and also

• धनकैः: with dhanaka trees (a named plant/tree used in landscaping lists)

• समराटकैः: with samarāṭaka trees (a named plant/tree in Purāṇic horticulture lists).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (context: Vastu/landscaping guidance within Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Hastikarṇa
• Sumanas
• Kovidāra
• Āmalaka
• Dhanaka
• Samarāṭaka

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Garden design
• Sacred groves
• Auspicious trees
• Temple landscaping

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it is a horticultural/landscaping list prescribing auspicious, flowering trees to be planted in designed spaces.

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

It supports the dharmic duty of maintaining orderly, auspicious surroundings—royal parks, temple precincts, and household gardens—by planting recommended species associated with beauty, fragrance, and prosperity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

In Vastu-oriented planning, specific trees are prescribed for groves and precincts to enhance auspiciousness (śubhatā), aesthetics, and ritual suitability of temple/settlement environments; this verse enumerates such species.