Shloka 54

Matsya Purana — Cosmography of Jambūdvīpa: Varṣas

Devanagari script

चन्द्रप्रभाश् चन्द्रवर्णाः पूर्णचन्द्रनिभाननाः चन्द्रशीतलगात्राश्च स्त्रियो ह्युत्पलगन्धिकाः //

Transliteration

candraprabhāś candravarṇāḥ pūrṇacandranibhānanāḥ candraśītalagātrāśca striyo hyutpalagandhikāḥ //

Translation

There are women radiant like the moon, moon-hued, with faces like the full moon; their bodies are cool as moonlight, and they are fragrant like blue lotuses (utpala).

Word by Word

• candra-prabhāḥ: moon-radiant

• candra-varṇāḥ: moon-colored, pale-lustrous

• pūrṇa-candra-nibha-ānanāḥ: having faces like the full moon

• candra-śītala-gātrāḥ: having limbs cool like the moon (moonlight-cool)

• striyaḥ: women

• hi: indeed

• utpala-gandhikāḥ: lotus-fragrant (smelling of utpala/blue lotus)

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s account; descriptive passage within the dialogue tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Candra (Moon)
• Utpala (blue lotus)

Tags

• Svarga
• Celestial descriptions
• Phala-shruti
• Puranic cosmology
• Aesthetics

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it is part of a celestial (Svarga) description, using moon-and-lotus imagery to convey the refined, merit-born pleasures of heavenly realms.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ethic that righteous conduct, charity, vows, and dharma-oriented living lead to auspicious posthumous states such as Svarga, here illustrated through poetic descriptions of heavenly inhabitants.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; its significance is iconographic-poetic—moon-like complexion, coolness, and lotus fragrance are classic auspicious markers used in Purāṇic aesthetic description.