Shloka 6

Matsya Purana — Description of Himavat

Devanagari script

चन्दनेनानुलिप्ताङ्गं दत्तपञ्चाङ्गुलं यथा शीतप्रदं निदाघे ऽपि शिलाविकटसंकटम् सालक्तकैरप्सरसां मुद्रितं चरणैः क्वचित् //

Transliteration

candanenānuliptāṅgaṃ dattapañcāṅgulaṃ yathā śītapradaṃ nidāghe 'pi śilāvikaṭasaṃkaṭam sālaktakairapsarasāṃ mudritaṃ caraṇaiḥ kvacit //

Translation

Its surfaces are smeared with sandal paste; and there, as though a five-finger-breadth mark had been set down, the rugged stone—though harsh and difficult—becomes cooling even in the heat of summer. In some places it appears stamped with the feet of Apsarases, marked with red lac-dye.

Word by Word

• चन्दनेन (candanena): with sandal (paste)

• अनुलिप्ताङ्गम् (anuliptāṅgam): having the body/surface smeared

• दत्तपञ्चाङ्गुलम् (dattapañcāṅgulam): having a five-finger-breadth measure/mark placed or set

• यथा (yathā): as if/just as

• शीतप्रदम् (śītapradam): giving coolness

• निदाघे अपि (nidāghe ’pi): even in the summer heat

• शिला (śilā): stone

• विकट (vikaṭa): rugged, harsh, uneven

• संकटम् (saṅkaṭam): difficult, cramped, formidable

• सालक्तकैः (sālaktakaiḥ): with red lac/dye (alta-like)

• अप्सरसाम् (apsarasām): of Apsarases (celestial nymphs)

• मुद्रितम् (mudritam): imprinted, stamped

• चरणैः (caraṇaiḥ): by feet

• क्वचित् (kvacit): in some places

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s instructional narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Apsarases
• Sandalwood paste (Candana)
• Lac dye/Alta (Lākṣā/Laktaka)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Temple architecture rules
• Auspicious aesthetics
• Cooling design
• Iconography

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on sacred/royal architectural ambience—cooling, fragrance, and auspicious decorative signs—typical of Vastuvidya descriptions.

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

It reflects the ideal of maintaining clean, pleasing, and health-supporting spaces—cool in summer, fragrant, and orderly—an aspect of righteous governance/household management aligned with dharma and public welfare.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Sandal-paste application signifies purification, auspiciousness, and cooling; the mention of measured markings and decorative “footprints” with red dye points to intentional, ritually pleasing surface treatment in temple/palatial design.