Shloka 19

Matsya Purana — Description of Himavat

Devanagari script

देवदारुमहावृक्षव्रजशाखानिरन्तरैः वंशस्तम्बवनाकारैः प्रदेशैरुपशोभितम् //

Transliteration

devadārumahāvṛkṣavrajaśākhānirantaraiḥ vaṃśastambavanākāraiḥ pradeśairupaśobhitam //

Translation

It is beautified by tracts thickly lined with the continuous branches of great deodāra trees, and by regions that resemble bamboo-pillared groves.

Word by Word

• devadāru: deodāra (cedar)

• mahā-vṛkṣa: great trees

• vraja: a multitude/group

• śākhā: branches

• nirantaraiḥ: unbroken/continuous

• vaṃśa: bamboo

• stamba: clumps/pillars/stems

• vana-ākāraiḥ: having the appearance of a forest/grove-like

• pradeśaiḥ: by regions/tracts

• upaśobhitam: adorned/beautified

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction/description to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Devadāru
• Vaṃśa (bamboo)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Sacred landscape
• Forest-groves
• Site selection
• Auspicious terrain

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on describing an auspicious, well-adorned region—useful for understanding ideal sacred or habitable landscapes rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It supports the practical duty of choosing and maintaining a prosperous, healthy environment—kings in particular are expected to establish settlements and sacred spaces in fertile, well-wooded regions that naturally signify stability and abundance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

As a Vastu-style marker, dense deodāra and bamboo-grove-like tracts indicate an aesthetically pleasing and potentially auspicious terrain—suggesting a recommended setting for building, habitation, or sacred precinct planning.