Shloka 15

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

Devanagari script

मोचैर्लोचैस्तु लकुचैस् तिलपुष्पकुशेशयैः तथा सुपुष्पावरणैश् चव्यकैः कामिवल्लभैः //

Transliteration

mocairlocaistu lakucais tilapuṣpakuśeśayaiḥ tathā supuṣpāvaraṇaiś cavyakaiḥ kāmivallabhaiḥ //

Translation

With plantain blossoms (moca), with locā (a fragrant plant), with lakuca fruits, with sesame-flowers and lotus-blooms; likewise with well-flowering āvaraṇa-plants, with cavya, and with creepers dear to lovers—one should adorn/offer according to the prescribed rite.

Word by Word

• mocaiḥ: with plantains/banana blossoms

• locaiḥ: with locā (a fragrant plant, likely used as a floral/leaf offering)

• tu: and/indeed

• lakucaiḥ: with lakuca (Artocarpus lakoocha) fruits/flowers

• tila-puṣpa: sesame flowers

• kuśeśayaiḥ: with lotuses (lit. ‘those lying in the water’, lotus-blooms)

• tathā: likewise

• su-puṣpa-āvaraṇaiḥ: with well-flowering āvaraṇa plants (covering/border plants used for decoration/garlands)

• cavyakaiḥ: with cavya (a pungent aromatic/medicinal plant used in ritual lists)

• kāmi-vallabhaiḥ: with creepers beloved of lovers (ornamental, fragrant vines).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• lakuca
• tila
• kuśeśaya (lotus)
• cavya

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Ritual offerings
• Temple decoration
• Sacred flora
• Puranic worship

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a practical ritual/ornamental list of auspicious flowers, fruits, and fragrant plants used for sacred adornment and offerings.

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

It supports the king/householder duty of maintaining proper worship and public religious rites—ensuring that offerings and decorations use auspicious, traditionally approved plant materials.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It points to the ritual décor and offering standards connected to temple/mandapa practice—garlands, floral borders (āvaraṇa), and fragrant substances used to beautify the sacred space in line with Matsya Purana’s Vastu-linked worship guidelines.