Shloka 66

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

Devanagari script

हिमपातो न तत्रास्ति समन्तात्पञ्चयोजनम् उपत्यका सुशैलस्य शिखरस्य न विद्यते //

Transliteration

himapāto na tatrāsti samantātpañcayojanam upatyakā suśailasya śikharasya na vidyate //

Translation

In that region there is no snowfall, extending all around for five yojanas; and at the summit of that excellent mountain there is no valley at all.

Word by Word

• hima-pātaḥ: snowfall/snow-fall

• na: not

• tatra: there/in that place

• asti: exists

• samantāt: on all sides/everywhere around

• pañca-yojanam: for five yojanas (a radius/extent)

• upatyakā: valley/low-lying basin

• su-śailasya: of the noble/excellent mountain

• śikharasya: of the peak/summit

• na: not

• vidyate: is found/exists

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s account; descriptive passage within the discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Suśaila (excellent mountain)
• Yojana (measure of distance)

Tags

• Sacred geography
• Vastu
• Site selection
• Mountains
• Climate

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it gives geographical-climatic markers (no snowfall within five yojanas) used to characterize a sacred or suitable region.

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

By implying standards for choosing safe and auspicious terrain, it supports a king’s duty of prudent settlement planning and a householder’s duty of selecting a stable, healthy place for dwelling or worship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It functions like a Vastu-style site indicator: a favorable zone is described as climatically moderate (no snowfall) and topographically stable (no problematic valley at the summit), aiding temple or settlement suitability.