Shloka 52

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

Devanagari script

मञ्जुलीतकदात्यूहान् भारद्वाजांस्तथा चषान् एतांश्चान्यांश्च सुबहून् पक्षिसंघान्मनोहरान् //

Transliteration

mañjulītakadātyūhān bhāradvājāṃstathā caṣān etāṃścānyāṃśca subahūn pakṣisaṃghānmanoharān //

Translation

“(He described) the charming lītaka-birds and the dātyūhas, the bhāradvājas, and also the caṣas—these and many other delightful flocks of birds.”

Word by Word

• mañjulī: charming, delightful

• lītaka: a kind of bird (traditional name)

• dātyūhān: dātyūha-birds (a named species in Sanskrit lists)

• bhāradvājān: bhāradvāja-birds (named species, traditionally identified with a kind of wagtail/skylike bird in some lexica)

• tathā: and also

• caṣān: caṣa-birds (traditional bird-name)

• etān: these

• ca: and

• anyān: others

• ca: and

• subahūn: very many

• pakṣi-saṃghān: flocks/groups of birds

• manoharān: pleasing to the mind, beautiful

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, continuing a descriptive catalogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Dātyūha
• Bhāradvāja (bird-name)
• Caṣa (bird-name)

Tags

• Creation
• Cosmology
• Natural-world catalogue
• Puranic zoology
• Biodiversity

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya directly; it highlights sarga (creation) by listing diverse bird-species, emphasizing the richness and variety of manifested life.

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

Indirectly, such catalogues support dharmic stewardship: a king (and householder) is urged in Purāṇic ethics to protect habitats, avoid needless harm, and recognize living beings as part of the ordered creation under dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its significance is descriptive—an example of Purāṇic natural-history used to frame creation’s completeness rather than temple architecture rules.