Shloka 34

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

Devanagari script

तथा च कदलीखण्डैर् मनोहारिभिरुत्तमैः तथा मरकतप्रख्यैः प्रदेशैः शाद्वलान्वितैः //

Transliteration

tathā ca kadalīkhaṇḍair manohāribhiruttamaiḥ tathā marakataprakhyaiḥ pradeśaiḥ śādvalānvitaiḥ //

Translation

And likewise, with excellent, enchanting groves of banana plants; and with tracts of land that gleam like emeralds, carpeted with fresh green turf.

Word by Word

• तथा (tathā): and thus/likewise

• च (ca): and

• कदली-खण्डैः (kadalī-khaṇḍaiḥ): with clusters/groves of banana plants

• मनोहारिभिः (manohāribhiḥ): charming, mind-delighting

• उत्तमैः (uttamaiḥ): excellent, best

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• मरकत-प्रख्यैः (marakata-prakhyaiḥ): resembling emeralds, emerald-like in sheen/green

• प्रदेशैः (pradeśaiḥ): regions, tracts, areas

• शाद्वल-अन्वितैः (śādvala-anvitaiḥ): endowed with lawn-like grass/turf, covered with verdant grass.

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s description of idealized landscapes within Vastu-oriented planning)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya Purana

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Landscape
• Garden design
• City planning
• Sacred space

FAQs

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

It does not address Pralaya directly; it focuses on auspicious, life-affirming landscape features—lush groves and verdant ground—suited to an ideal habitation.

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

It implies the duty of patrons (kings/householders) to cultivate well-watered, beautiful, and orderly green spaces—groves and grassy commons—supporting comfort, prosperity, and public wellbeing in a properly planned settlement.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

As a Vastu-oriented detail, it highlights planned landscaping—banana groves and emerald-like grassy tracts—as desirable environmental elements that enhance the auspiciousness and aesthetic harmony of a built space.