Shloka 48

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

Devanagari script

गोक्ष्वेडकांस्तथा कुम्भान् धार्तराष्ट्राञ्शुकान्बकान् घातुकांश्चक्रवाकांश्च कटुकान्टिट्टिभान् भटान् //

Transliteration

gokṣveḍakāṃstathā kumbhān dhārtarāṣṭrāñśukānbakān ghātukāṃścakravākāṃśca kaṭukānṭiṭṭibhān bhaṭān //

Translation

Likewise, one should recognize the gokṣveḍakas and the kumbhas; the dhārtarāṣṭras, the parrots, and the baka-cranes; the ghātukas and the cakravākas; the kaṭukas, the ṭiṭṭibhas, and the bhaṭas.

Word by Word

• गोक्ष्वेडकान् (gokṣveḍakān): a named class/group (likely a bird/creature-category used in lists)

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• कुम्भान् (kumbhān): ‘kumbha’ group / pot-jar class (a named category)

• धार्तराष्ट्रान् (dhārtarāṣṭrān): ‘dhārtarāṣṭra’ group (a named category)

• शुकान् (śukān): parrots

• बकान् (bakān): cranes/herons

• घातुकान् (ghātukān): ‘ghātuka’ group (a named category

• चक्रवाकान् (cakravākān): cakravāka birds (ruddy goose)

• च (ca): and

• कटुकान् (kaṭukān): ‘kaṭuka’ group (a named category

• टिट्टिभान् (ṭiṭṭibhān): ṭiṭṭibha birds (lapwing/shore-bird)

• भटान् (bhaṭān): ‘bhaṭa’ group (lit. soldiers/warriors

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution typical for this stream of instruction in Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Cakravāka
• Śuka
• Baka
• Ṭiṭṭibha

Tags

• Matsya Purana lists
• Iconography taxonomy
• Ritual classification
• Vastuvidya context
• Puranic terminology

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a catalog-style enumeration of named categories (including birds), more consistent with descriptive/ritual or iconographic classification rather than cosmology.

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

Indirectly: such enumerations function as reference-lists used by learned specialists (priests, planners, artisans) in correct observance—supporting a king’s duty to maintain orderly ritual practice and patronize proper temple/ritual standards.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse reads like a technical list of types/groups (including specific birds like cakravāka, śuka, baka, ṭiṭṭibha) that can serve as standardized categories for ritual description or iconographic/auspicious-inauspicious taxonomies used in temple and ceremonial manuals.