Shloka 43

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

Devanagari script

न तद्धान्यं न तत्सस्यं न तच्छाकं न तत्फलम् न तन्मूलं न तत्कन्दं न तत्पुष्पं नराधिप //

Transliteration

na taddhānyaṃ na tatsasyaṃ na tacchākaṃ na tatphalam na tanmūlaṃ na tatkandaṃ na tatpuṣpaṃ narādhipa //

Translation

O king, that is not to be regarded as grain, nor as a crop; not as a vegetable, nor as a fruit; not as a root, nor as a tuber, nor as a flower.

Word by Word

• na: not

• tat: that

• dhānyam: grain/cereal

• sasyaṃ: crop/standing produce

• śākaṃ: vegetable/leafy greens

• phalaṃ: fruit

• mūlaṃ: root

• kandaṃ: tuber/bulb/rhizome

• puṣpaṃ: flower

• narādhipa: O lord of men/king

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (king)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Ahara
• Shaucha
• Dana
• Niyama

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on dharmic classification—declaring certain items as not to be treated as valid categories of edible/offerable produce in the given context.

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

It guides a ruler/householder in enforcing or following standards of purity and appropriateness in food consumption, charity (dāna), and ritual offerings—key responsibilities under Rajadharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual takeaway is about suitability for offerings: the verse negates common food categories (grain, crop, vegetable, fruit, root, tuber, flower) for the item under discussion, implying it should not be used in worship, yajña, or sacred hospitality in that context.