Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

कुशगुल्मैस्तथा रम्यैर् गुल्मैश्चेक्षोर् मनोरमैः कार्पासजातिवर्गेण दुर्लभेन शुभेन च //

Transliteration

kuśagulmaistathā ramyair gulmaiścekṣor manoramaiḥ kārpāsajātivargeṇa durlabhena śubhena ca //

Translation

And (the place) should be adorned with lovely clumps of kuśa grass, with delightful shrubs, with pleasing thickets of sugarcane, and also with rare and auspicious varieties of cotton plants.

Word by Word

• kuśa-gulmaiḥ: with clumps/thickets of kuśa grass

• tathā: and also

• ramyaiḥ: delightful, charming

• gulmaiḥ: with shrubs/bushes

• ca: and

• ikṣoḥ: of sugarcane

• manora-maiḥ: pleasing to the mind, beautiful

• kārpāsa: cotton

• jāti-vargeṇa: by varieties/classes (of species)

• durlabhena: rare, not easily obtained

• śubhena: auspicious, beneficial

• ca: and

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Kuśa (sacred grass)
• Ikṣu (sugarcane)
• Kārpāsa (cotton)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Landscape
• Auspicious plants
• Town planning
• Ritual ecology

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a practical Vastuvidya context, emphasizing auspicious vegetation for a well-ordered, prosperous habitation.

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

It reflects the duty to establish and maintain a healthy, prosperous settlement—selecting beneficial and ritually auspicious plants (kuśa, sugarcane, cotton) that support livelihood, purity, and wellbeing.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse highlights Vastu-aligned landscaping: integrating sacred kuśa (ritual purity), productive sugarcane, and auspicious cotton varieties as part of an ideal planned environment around dwellings or civic spaces.