Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — Description of Himavat

Devanagari script

तटाश्च तापसैर्यत्र कुञ्जदेशैरलंकृताः रत्नैर्यस्य समुत्पन्नैस् त्रैलोक्यं समलंकृतम् //

Transliteration

taṭāśca tāpasairyatra kuñjadeśairalaṃkṛtāḥ ratnairyasya samutpannais trailokyaṃ samalaṃkṛtam //

Translation

There, the banks are beautified by ascetics (tapasvins) and by tracts filled with groves; and with the jewels that arise from that place, even the three worlds are adorned.

Word by Word

• तटाः (taṭāḥ): riverbanks/shorelines

• च (ca): and

• तापसैः (tāpasaiḥ): by ascetics

• यत्र (yatra): where

• कुञ्जदेशैः (kuñja-deśaiḥ): by regions of groves/arbors

• अलंकृताः (alaṃkṛtāḥ): ornamented/embellished

• रत्नैः (ratnaiḥ): with jewels/gems

• यस्य (yasya): of which/whose

• समुत्पन्नैः (samutpannaiḥ): arisen/produced

• त्रैलोक्यम् (trailokyam): the three worlds

• समलंकृतम् (samalaṃkṛtam): fully adorned, richly decorated

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) recounting the Matsya Purana discourse in a descriptive passage (speaker not explicitly marked in this single verse)

Entities Mentioned

• Tapasas (ascetics)
• Trailokya (the three worlds)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred geography
• Ascetics
• Natural wealth
• Auspicious landscape

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; instead, it emphasizes how a sacred region manifests abundance and radiance—so potent that its naturally arising jewels are said to adorn all three worlds.

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

It implies that protecting riverbanks, maintaining grove-regions, and supporting ascetics are dharmic acts that sustain both sanctity and prosperity—guiding rulers and householders toward patronage of tirthas, āśramas, and environmental care.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse highlights classic auspicious site markers—waterfront banks (taṭa) and grove-land (kuñja-deśa)—which align with Vastu-oriented temple and settlement ideals: build near pure water, preserve sacred greenery, and honor ascetic presence to enhance the site’s spiritual “ornamentation.”