Shloka 2

Matsya Purana — Description of Himavat

Devanagari script

खमुल्लिखद्भिर्बहुभिर् वृतं शृङ्गैस्तु पाण्डुरैः पक्षिणामपि संचारैर् विना सिद्धगतिं शुभाम् //

Transliteration

khamullikhadbhirbahubhir vṛtaṃ śṛṅgaistu pāṇḍuraiḥ pakṣiṇāmapi saṃcārair vinā siddhagatiṃ śubhām //

Translation

Enclosed by many pale-white peaks that seem to scratch the sky, and devoid even of the movement of birds—such a place is regarded as having an ominous, ill-accomplishing course, not an auspicious one.

Word by Word

• kham: the sky

• ullikhadbhis: scratching/engraving (as if rending)

• bahubhiḥ: by many

• vṛtam: surrounded/enclosed

• śṛṅgaiḥ: with peaks/summits

• tu: indeed

• pāṇḍuraiḥ: pale, whitish

• pakṣiṇām: of birds

• api: even

• saṃcāraiḥ: with movement/flight/traffic

• vinā: without

• siddha-gatim: successful course/attainment-leading condition (lit. ‘accomplishing movement’)

• śubhām: auspicious, fortunate.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Pakṣin (birds)
• Śṛṅga (mountain peaks)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Site Selection
• Auspicious Signs
• Temple Planning
• Sacred Geography

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to Vastuvidya-style guidance, judging a landscape’s auspiciousness by natural signs (terrain and living movement).

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

It guides rulers and householders to avoid establishing settlements, temples, or major works in places marked by inauspicious omens—here, harsh enclosing peaks and the absence of bird-life—since such sites are said to obstruct prosperity and successful outcomes.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

As a Vastu indicator, a site hemmed in by stark peaks and lacking bird activity is treated as unfavorable for construction or consecration; living movement (like birds) functions as a sign of a healthy, auspicious environment.