Shloka 55

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

Devanagari script

मूषकान्नकुलान् कावान् सिंहान् द्रुममनोहरान् तथा मत्तांश्च मातंगान् महिषान् गवयान् वृषान् चमरान् सृमरांश्चैव तथा गौरखरानपि //

Transliteration

mūṣakānnakulān kāvān siṃhān drumamanoharān tathā mattāṃśca mātaṃgān mahiṣān gavayān vṛṣān camarān sṛmarāṃścaiva tathā gaurakharānapi //

Translation

“(One should depict) rats, mongooses, crows, lions, and delightful trees; also rutting elephants, buffaloes, wild oxen (gavaya), bulls, yaks (camara), deer (sṛmara), and likewise white donkeys as well.”

Word by Word

• mūṣakān: rats

• nakulān: mongooses

• kāvān: crows

• siṃhān: lions

• druma-manoharān: pleasing/beautiful trees

• tathā: and also

• mattān: rutting/intoxicated (in musth)

• mātaṅgān: elephants

• mahiṣān: buffaloes

• gavayān: wild oxen/gayal

• vṛṣān: bulls

• camarān: yaks (chamara)

• sṛmarān: deer/antelopes (sṛmara)

• ca eva: and indeed

• tathā: likewise

• gaura-kharān: white donkeys

• api: also

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• mūṣaka (rat)
• nakula (mongoose)
• kāka (crow)
• siṃha (lion)
• mātaṅga (elephant)
• mahiṣa (buffalo)
• gavaya (wild ox)
• vṛṣa (bull)
• camara (yak)
• sṛmara (deer)
• gaura-khara (white donkey)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Temple Art
• Auspicious Motifs
• Vastu Shastra

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is an iconographic prescription listing creatures and natural motifs recommended for depiction as part of auspicious decorative programs.

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

It supports dharmic patronage: kings and householders who commission temples or public religious works should follow śāstric guidelines for imagery, ensuring the artwork aligns with tradition and is considered auspicious.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It functions as a Vastu/Iconography directive: certain animals, trees, and figures are to be carved/painted in specified sacred contexts (e.g., temple surfaces, panels, or decorative bands) as sanctioned motifs.