Shloka 49

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

Devanagari script

पुत्रप्रियान् लोहपृष्ठान् गोचर्मगिरिवर्तकान् पारावतांश्च कमलान् सारिका जीवजीवकान् //

Transliteration

putrapriyān lohapṛṣṭhān gocarmagirivartakān pārāvatāṃśca kamalān sārikā jīvajīvakān //

Translation

“One should depict/arrange” the putrapriyā birds, the ‘iron-backed’ (lohapiṣṭha) creatures, the auspicious forms called gocarma and girivartaka, as well as pigeons, lotuses, the sārika (myna) birds, and the jīvajīvaka birds.

Word by Word

• पुत्रप्रियान् (putrapriyān): ‘putrapriyā’ birds/creatures (lit. ‘dear to children/offspring’, an auspicious named type)

• लोहपृष्ठान् (lohāpṛṣṭhān): iron-backed, having a metallic-looking back (a named creature/motif)

• गोचर्म (gocarma): ‘cowhide’ (a named motif/form

• गिरिवर्तकान् (girivartakān): ‘girivartaka’ (a named bird/creature

• पारावतान् (pārāvatān): pigeons/doves

• कमलान् (kamalān): lotuses

• सारिका (sārikāḥ): myna birds

• जीवजीवकान् (jīvajīvakān): jīvajīvaka birds (a named bird pair noted in Sanskrit literature).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, in the broader Matsya Purana dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Pārāvata (pigeon/dove)
• Kamala (lotus)
• Sārikā (myna)
• Jīvajīvaka (bird)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Temple Decoration
• Auspicious Motifs
• Ritual Items

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is a technical list of auspicious motifs (birds, lotus, named forms) used in sacred depiction/arrangement, not a Pralaya narrative.

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

It supports dharmic patronage: kings and householders sponsoring temples/ritual spaces are instructed to use auspicious, śāstra-approved motifs—signifying prosperity, continuity of lineage, and ritual purity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It indicates approved iconographic/ornamental elements—specific birds and the lotus—used as auspicious decorations in temple/ritual contexts, aligning design with Matsya Purana Pratima-Lakshana and Vastu sensibilities.