Shloka 13

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

Devanagari script

सुवर्णचारुवसनैर् द्रुमश्रेष्ठैस् तथासनैः मन्मथस्य शराकारैः सहकारैर्मनोरमैः //

Transliteration

suvarṇacāruvasanair drumaśreṣṭhais tathāsanaiḥ manmathasya śarākāraiḥ sahakārairmanoramaiḥ //

Translation

With excellent trees draped in lovely, golden-hued foliage, and with seats (āsana) arranged there, the place is adorned with delightful mango trees (sahakāra) shaped like Kāma’s arrows.

Word by Word

• suvarṇa: golden, gold-like

• cāru: lovely, beautiful

• vasanaiḥ: with coverings/garments (here: foliage as a ‘drapery’)

• druma-śreṣṭhaiḥ: with the best of trees

• tathā: and also/likewise

• āsanaiḥ: with seats, sitting-places

• manmathasya: of Manmatha (Kāma, the god of love)

• śara-ākāraiḥ: having the form of arrows

• sahakāraiḥ: with mango trees

• manoramaiḥ: delightful, charming

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction/descriptive discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Manmatha (Kama)
• Sahakara (mango tree)

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Temple gardens
• Sacred landscaping
• Auspicious trees
• Iconic imagery

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on auspicious beautification—ideal trees, seating, and charming groves—within a sacred/royal designed space.

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

It supports the dharmic ideal of maintaining orderly, pleasing, and auspicious surroundings—gardens, shaded seating, and well-chosen trees—reflecting a ruler’s or householder’s responsibility for public comfort and sacred propriety.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It implies Vāstu-aligned landscape planning: selecting ‘best’ trees (notably mango), arranging āsanas (resting/seating zones), and using culturally charged motifs (Kāma’s arrow imagery) to create a harmonious, ritually pleasing precinct.