Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

मरीचस्य तथा गुल्मैर् नवमल्लिकया तथा मृद्वीकामण्डपैर्मुख्यैर् अतिमुक्तकमण्डपैः //

Transliteration

marīcasya tathā gulmair navamallikayā tathā mṛdvīkāmaṇḍapairmukhyair atimuktakamaṇḍapaiḥ //

Translation

And likewise (the garden should be adorned) with marīca plants and clustered shrubs, with fresh jasmine (navamallikā) as well—especially with pavilions over grapevines, and with pavilions covered in atimuktaka creepers.

Word by Word

• मरीचस्य (marīcasya): of/with marīca plants (pepper-like aromatic creeper/plant)

• तथा (tathā): and likewise

• गुल्मैः (gulmaiḥ): with shrubs/thickets/clumps of plants

• नवमल्लिकया (navamallikayā): with fresh/new jasmine

• तथा (tathā): and

• मृद्वीकामण्डपैः (mṛdvīkā-maṇḍapaiḥ): with grapevine pavilions/arbors

• मुख्यैः (mukhyaiḥ): chiefly/especially/prominently

• अतिमुक्तकमण्डपैः (atimuktaka-maṇḍapaiḥ): with pavilions/arbors of atimuktaka (a fragrant flowering creeper, often identified with a jasmine-type climber)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Marīca
• Gulma
• Navamallikā
• Mṛdvīkā
• Atimuktaka
• Maṇḍapa

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Garden design
• Pavilion
• Temple-town planning
• Matsya Purana Vastu

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is from the Vāstuvidyā stream of the Matsya Purana and focuses on garden-and-pavilion landscaping rather than cosmology or pralaya.

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

It supports the ideal of maintaining well-planned, auspicious, and pleasant surroundings—an expected duty of kings (for public and royal gardens) and householders (for orderly, dharmic habitation) in Purāṇic vāstu guidance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies decorative planting and the use of vine-covered maṇḍapas (arbors/pavilions), implying that landscape elements are integral to vāstu—pavilions are to be aesthetically and climatically enhanced with jasmine, grapevines, and fragrant creepers.