Shloka 47

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

तथा भद्रकदम्बस्तु पर्वते गन्धमादने जम्बूवृक्षस्तथाश्वत्थो विपुले ऽथ वटः परम् //

Transliteration

tathā bhadrakadambastu parvate gandhamādane jambūvṛkṣastathāśvattho vipule 'tha vaṭaḥ param //

Translation

Likewise, the auspicious kadamba stands upon Mount Gandhamādana; there too are the jambu tree and the aśvattha (sacred fig); and on the vast Mount Vipula is found the supreme vaṭa (banyan).

Word by Word

• tathā: likewise

• bhadraka-dambaḥ (bhadrakadambaḥ): auspicious kadamba tree

• tu: indeed/and

• parvate: on the mountain

• gandhamādane: (on) Gandhamādana (name of a sacred mountain)

• jambū-vṛkṣaḥ: the jambu tree

• tathā: also

• aśvatthaḥ: the aśvattha tree (sacred fig)

• vipule: on the vast/expansive (mountain/place)

• atha: then/and

• vaṭaḥ: banyan tree

• param: supreme/most excellent

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purāṇa’s cosmographical description, ultimately rooted in the Matsya–Manu dialogue tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Gandhamādana
• Bhadrakadamba
• Jambūvṛkṣa
• Aśvattha
• Vaṭa

Tags

• Jambūdvīpa
• Cosmography
• Sacred Geography
• Sacred Trees
• Purāṇic Landscapes

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya directly; it belongs to the Matsya Purāṇa’s cosmography, mapping sacred mountains and emblematic trees within Jambūdvīpa as features of the ordered world.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic life by identifying sacred natural landmarks—trees like aśvattha and vaṭa are traditionally revered and protected, aligning with a king’s duty of guardianship of sacred places and a householder’s duty of honoring holy trees and tīrthas.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While not a Vāstu rule, the verse highlights ritually significant trees (aśvattha, vaṭa, kadamba) that commonly function as worship-sites and auspicious markers near temples, hermitages, and tīrthas—useful for understanding Purāṇic sacred landscape planning.