Shloka 23

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

Devanagari script

अश्मन्तकैस्तथा कालैर् जम्बीरैः श्वैतकद्रुमैः भल्लातकैरिन्द्रयवैर् वल्गुजैः सिद्धिसाधकैः //

Transliteration

aśmantakaistathā kālair jambīraiḥ śvaitakadrumaiḥ bhallātakairindrayavair valgujaiḥ siddhisādhakaiḥ //

Translation

—with aśmantaka trees, and likewise with kāla trees; with jambīra (citron/lemon), with the white kadru trees (śvaitaka-druma); with bhallātaka (marking-nut), indrayava, and valguja—plants regarded as “accomplishers of success” (siddhi).

Word by Word

अश्मन्तकैः (aśmantakaiḥ)with aśmantaka trees

तथा (tathā)likewise/also

कालैः (kālaiḥ)with kāla trees (a tree-name

जम्बीरैः (jambīraiḥ)with jambīra, citron/lemon

श्वैतकद्रुमैः (śvaitaka-drumaiḥ)with white kadru trees (a pale/white-barked tree variety)

भल्लातकैः (bhallātakaiḥ)with bhallātaka, marking-nut (Semecarpus anacardium)

इन्द्रयवैः (indrayavaiḥ)with indrayava (commonly Holarrhena antidysenterica seeds)

वल्गुजैः (valgujaiḥ)with valguja (a plant-name

सिद्धिसाधकैः (siddhisādhakaiḥ)with those that bring about accomplishment/success (siddhi).

Speaker

Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching as delivered in the Manu–Matsya dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

AśmantakaKāla (tree)JambīraŚvaitaka-drumaBhallātakaIndrayavaValgujaSiddhi (accomplishment)

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it lists specific auspicious/beneficial trees and plants, implying a dharmic ecology where sustaining life through planting is meritorious.

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

It supports the duty of public welfare (lokasaṅgraha): kings and householders are encouraged to plant and maintain useful, auspicious, and medicinal trees—an ethical act that yields prosperity and “siddhi.”

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

In Vastu-oriented practice, selecting specific trees for gardens, temple precincts, and settlements is treated as auspicious; these species are presented as “siddhi-sādhaka,” i.e., conducive to successful rites and harmonious living spaces.