Shloka 40

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

Devanagari script

द्रष्टुर्दृष्ट्या हितमुदैः कुमुदैश्चन्द्रसंनिभैः तथा वह्निशिखाकारैर् गजवक्त्रोत्पलैः शुभैः //

Transliteration

draṣṭurdṛṣṭyā hitamudaiḥ kumudaiścandrasaṃnibhaiḥ tathā vahniśikhākārair gajavaktrotpalaiḥ śubhaiḥ //

Translation

With a gaze that brings welfare and gladness to the beholder—eyes like white kumuda lotuses resembling the moon—auspicious; and with forms like tongues of flame, like blessed utpala lotus-blooms shaped as an elephant’s face.

Word by Word

• draṣṭuḥ: of the beholder

• dṛṣṭyā: by (its) gaze/looking

• hita-mudaiḥ: with welfare and joy

• kumudaiḥ: with kumuda lotuses (white water-lilies)

• candra-saṃnibhaiḥ: resembling the moon

• tathā: and also

• vahni-śikhā-ākāraiḥ: having the form of a flame-tongue

• gaja-vaktra-utpalaiḥ: with utpala-lotuses like an elephant’s face (elephant-faced lotus-like form)

• śubhaiḥ: auspicious, beneficent.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Auspicious Marks
• Temple Art
• Vastu Shastra

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it focuses on auspicious iconographic features—especially the beneficent gaze and the ideal form of the eyes in sacred imagery.

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

Indirectly, it guides patrons (kings/householders) in commissioning proper sacred images: choosing forms whose gaze is described as welfare-giving aligns with dharmic patronage and merit through correct temple worship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It contributes to pratima-lakshana: the prescribed appearance of a deity’s eyes (moon-like, lotus-like, flame-shaped) is a standard for sculptors and ritual consecration, supporting correct temple icon design within Matsya Purana’s Vastu-oriented tradition.