Shloka 12

Matsya Purana — Description of Himavat

Devanagari script

तपस्विशरणं शैलं कामिनामतिदुर्लभम् मृगैर्यथानुचरितं दन्तिभिन्नमहाद्रुमम् //

Transliteration

tapasviśaraṇaṃ śailaṃ kāmināmatidurlabham mṛgairyathānucaritaṃ dantibhinnamahādrumam //

Translation

It was a mountain that served as a refuge for ascetics—exceedingly hard to reach for the pleasure-seeking—frequented as it were by herds of deer, and marked by great trees split and scarred by elephants’ tusks.

Word by Word

• तपस्वि-शरणम्: a shelter/refuge of ascetics

• शैलम्: mountain

• कामिनाम्: for the pleasure-seeking/lust-driven

• अति-दुर्लभम्: extremely difficult to obtain/reach

• मृगैः: by deer/wild animals

• यथा-अनुचरितम्: as if regularly traversed/frequented

• दन्ति: elephant

• भिन्न: split/broken

• महा-द्रुमम्: great trees

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice describing the setting within the Matsya Purana’s ongoing discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Tapasvin (ascetics)
• Mṛga (deer)
• Dantin (elephants)

Tags

• Tapas
• Forest
• Sacred Geography
• Renunciation
• Pilgrimage

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it portrays a dharmic landscape—remote, austere, and suited to tapas—often used in the Purana as the ideal setting for spiritual practice rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It contrasts the path of sense-pleasure with the path of restraint: a householder or king is reminded to respect and protect ascetics’ retreats and to cultivate self-control, recognizing that higher spiritual aims require distance from indulgence.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Indirectly, it suggests an ideal ritual/ashrama site: secluded, naturally protected, and away from distractions—principles that also align with traditional site-selection norms later systematized in Vastu-oriented discussions.