Shloka 63

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

Devanagari script

क्वचिद्राजन्महिष्यश्च क्वचिदाजाश्च सर्वशः शिलाः क्षीरेण सम्पूर्णा दध्ना चान्यत्र वा बहिः //

Transliteration

kvacidrājanmahiṣyaśca kvacidājāśca sarvaśaḥ śilāḥ kṣīreṇa sampūrṇā dadhnā cānyatra vā bahiḥ //

Translation

In some places royal buffalo-cows are seen, and elsewhere goats are found on every side. In some places stones are found filled with milk, and elsewhere they are outwardly smeared or coated with curd (dadhi).

Word by Word

• kvacit: in some places

• rāja: royal/kingly

• mahiṣyaḥ: buffalo-cow (female buffalo)

• ca: and

• kvacit: elsewhere

• ājāḥ: goats

• ca: and

• sarvaśaḥ: on all sides/everywhere

• śilāḥ: stones/rocks

• kṣīreṇa: with milk

• sampūrṇāḥ: filled/complete

• dadhnā: with curd/yogurt

• ca: and

• anyatra: elsewhere

• vā: or

• bahiḥ: outwardly/on the outside

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (context: listing ominous anomalies)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Pralaya
• Omens
• Anomalies
• Matsya Avatar
• Puranic cosmology

FAQs

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

It presents unnatural, inverted phenomena (milk in stones, curd appearing externally) as portents—signals that cosmic and social order is destabilizing, a typical prelude to large-scale calamity such as pralaya.

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

Such anomalies function as warnings: a prudent king should treat them as indicators to restore dharma—through protection of subjects, ethical governance, and appropriate rites—rather than ignoring signs of disorder.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, milk and curd are auspicious substances; their impossible appearance in stones indicates a ‘misplacement of auspiciousness,’ prompting expiatory rites (śānti/pravṛtti of remedial rituals) rather than any direct Vastu rule.