Shloka 53

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

Devanagari script

श्वापदान्विविधाकारान् मृगांश्चैव महामृगान् व्याघ्रान्केसरिणः सिंहान् द्वीपिनः शरभान्वृकान् //

Transliteration

śvāpadānvividhākārān mṛgāṃścaiva mahāmṛgān vyāghrānkesariṇaḥ siṃhān dvīpinaḥ śarabhānvṛkān //

Translation

“(He created/manifested) beasts of prey of many forms—deer and great wild animals as well—tigers, maned lions, lions, leopards, śarabhas, and wolves.”

Word by Word

• śvāpadān: carnivorous beasts/beasts of prey

• vividhākārān: of various forms

• mṛgān: deer/wild game animals

• ca eva: and indeed/also

• mahāmṛgān: great beasts/large wild animals

• vyāghrān: tigers

• kesariṇaḥ: maned ones (often ‘lions’)

• siṃhān: lions

• dvīpinaḥ: leopards/panthers

• śarabhān: śarabhas (a powerful mythical/rare beast, often classed among mighty animals)

• vṛkān: wolves

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Purāṇic narration of creation/order of beings)

Entities Mentioned

• Śvāpadāḥ (beasts of prey)
• Mṛga (deer)
• Vyāghra (tiger)
• Siṃha (lion)
• Dvīpin (leopard/panther)
• Śarabha
• Vṛka (wolf)

Tags

• Creation
• Fauna
• Cosmology
• Sarga
• Biodiversity

FAQs

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

It belongs to a creation-ordering (sarga) style enumeration: it highlights the diversity of living beings manifested in the world, not the mechanics of Pralaya itself.

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

By naming dangerous wild creatures, it indirectly supports royal and household duties like protecting settlements, managing forests and hunting grounds, and maintaining safety for people and livestock—common concerns in Purāṇic governance ethics.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule is stated; the verse functions as a cosmological catalogue of creatures rather than a temple-building or rite procedure.