Shloka 70

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

Devanagari script

सदोपगीतभ्रमरसुरस्त्रीसेवितं परम् सर्वपापक्षयकरं शैलस्येव प्रहारकम् //

Transliteration

sadopagītabhramarasurastrīsevitaṃ param sarvapāpakṣayakaraṃ śailasyeva prahārakam //

Translation

Supreme indeed is that place (or observance), ever filled with the humming of bees and attended by celestial maidens; it brings about the destruction of all sins, striking them down like a blow upon a rock.

Word by Word

• sadā: always

• upagīta: resounded with song/humming

• bhramara: bee

• sura-strī: divine woman/celestial maiden (apsaras)

• sevitaṃ: frequented/attended

• param: supreme

• sarva: all

• pāpa: sin/evil demerit

• kṣaya: destruction/waning

• karaṃ: causing/bringing about

• śailasya: of a rock/mountain

• iva: like

• prahārakam: a striker/blow, that which smites

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) reporting the merit (māhātmya) of a sacred place/rite within the Matsya Purana’s discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Bhramara (bees)
• Sura-strī (celestial maidens/Apsarases)

Tags

• Tirtha-Mahatmya
• Punya
• Papakshaya
• Ritual-Merit
• Sacred-Geography

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya directly; it focuses on purification (sarva-pāpa-kṣaya) gained through a supremely meritorious sacred place or observance.

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

It supports the Purāṇic ethic that rulers and householders should pursue public and personal purification through dharmic acts—pilgrimage, worship, and maintaining sacred spaces—since such acts are said to eradicate sin and strengthen moral order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The emphasis is ritual and sacred-geographical rather than architectural: a sanctified environment (evoked by bees’ constant hum and divine attendance) is portrayed as exceptionally purifying, implying the importance of maintaining a consecrated, worship-ready precinct.