Shloka 22

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

Devanagari script

पीलुभिर्धातकीभिश्च चिरिबिल्वैः समाकुलैः तिन्तिडीकैस्तथा लोध्रैर् विडङ्गैः क्षीरिकाद्रुमैः //

Transliteration

pīlubhirdhātakībhiśca ciribilvaiḥ samākulaiḥ tintiḍīkaistathā lodhrair viḍaṅgaiḥ kṣīrikādrumaiḥ //

Translation

It should be densely filled with pīlu trees and dhātakī plants, with ciri-bilva trees in abundance; likewise with tamarind, lodhra trees, viḍaṅga, and milk-yielding trees (kṣīrikā-druma).

Word by Word

pīlubhiḥwith pīlu trees (Salvadora/related desert tree)

dhātakībhiḥwith dhātakī plants/flowers (Woodfordia fruticosa)

caand

ciribilvaiḥwith ciri-bilva trees (a variety related to bilva/bael)

samākulaiḥcrowded, densely filled

tintiḍīkaiḥwith tintiḍīka (tamarind) trees

tathālikewise

lodhraiḥwith lodhra trees (Symplocos/medicinal lodhra)

viḍaṅgaiḥwith viḍaṅga (Embelia ribes)

kṣīrikādrumaiḥwith milk-bearing trees (latex/milky-sap trees)

Speaker

Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, Vastu/udyanavidhi context)

Entities Mentioned

PīluDhātakīBilva (Ciri-bilva)Tintiḍīka (Tamarind)LodhraViḍaṅgaKṣīrikā-druma

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to Vastuvidyā-style instruction on arranging groves by planting specific trees and medicinal species.

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

It supports the dharmic duty of maintaining public welfare: kings and householders are encouraged to establish well-planted groves that provide shade, food, medicine, and auspiciousness around settlements and sacred places.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It gives practical Vastu-aligned landscaping guidance: the prescribed tree species are used to “complete” (samākula) gardens/groves associated with temples, pilgrimage sites, or planned settlements, enhancing auspiciousness and utility.