Shloka 12

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

Devanagari script

किरातैः किङ्किरातैश्च केतकैः श्वेतकेतकैः शोभाञ्जनैर् अञ्जनैश्च सुकलिङ्गनिकोटकैः //

Transliteration

kirātaiḥ kiṅkirātaiśca ketakaiḥ śvetaketakaiḥ śobhāñjanair añjanaiśca sukaliṅganikoṭakaiḥ //

Translation

—with kirāta and kiṅkirāta trees; with ketaka and white ketaka; with śobhāñjana and añjana; and with the excellent kaliṅga and nikoṭaka varieties.

Word by Word

• kirātaiḥ: with (trees/plants called) kirāta

• kiṅkirātaiḥ: with kiṅkirāta (a related variety)

• ca: and

• ketakaiḥ: with ketaka (pandanus/screw-pine, fragrant flower)

• śvetaketakaiḥ: with white ketaka

• śobhāñjanaiḥ: with śobhāñjana (moringa/drumstick tree, also used ritually/medicinally)

• añjanaiḥ: with añjana (a tree associated with anjana/collyrium

• ca: and

• sukaliṅga: excellent kaliṅga (a named plant/wood variety)

• nikoṭakaiḥ: with nikoṭaka (a named plant/wood variety).

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching dialogue of Matsya to Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Ketaka
• Shvetaketaka
• Shobhāñjana
• Añjana

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Sacred trees
• Ritual materials
• Temple construction
• Puranic taxonomy

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it functions as a technical catalogue of specific plants/woods, typical of the Matsya Purana’s Vastuvidya and ritual-material sections.

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

It supports dharmic duty indirectly: kings and householders sponsoring temples, yajñas, or public works must choose ritually acceptable materials; the verse supplies an authoritative list for correct procurement.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It names approved botanical materials (ketaka, śobhāñjana, añjana, etc.) likely intended for temple/ritual applications—such as construction timber, sacred implements, or offerings—aligning with Matsya Purana Vastu Shastra guidance on proper materials.