Shloka 71

Matsya Purana — Division of Bhārata-varṣa

Devanagari script

पद्मगन्धाश्च जायन्ते तत्र सर्वे च मानवाः जम्बूफलरसाहारा अनिष्पन्दाः सुगन्धिनः //

Transliteration

padmagandhāśca jāyante tatra sarve ca mānavāḥ jambūphalarasāhārā aniṣpandāḥ sugandhinaḥ //

Translation

There, all human beings are born with the fragrance of lotus-flowers. They live on the juice of jambu-fruit; they are steady and unshaken, and they are naturally sweet-smelling.

Word by Word

• padma-gandhāḥ: lotus-fragrant

• ca: and

• jāyante: are born/come into being

• tatra: there (in that region)

• sarve: all

• ca: and

• mānavāḥ: human beings

• jambū-phala-rasa-āhārāḥ: having jambu-fruit juice as food/sustenance

• aniṣpandāḥ: unmoving, unagitated, steady

• sugandhinaḥ: fragrant, sweet-smelling

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s account; cosmographic description within the discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Mānavāḥ (human beings)
• Jambū (jambu fruit)
• Padma (lotus)

Tags

• Cosmography
• Jambudvipa
• Puranic geography
• Human characteristics
• Mythic ecology

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it gives a cosmographic portrait of a region where humans are depicted as naturally pure and steady, suggesting an idealized post-creation order rather than dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it presents an ideal of human conduct—steadiness (aniṣpanda) and purity (sugandha)—which aligns with the ethical aim of self-control and sattvic living expected of householders and encouraged by righteous kings.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vastu or temple-building rule appears here; the lotus-fragrance and natural purity imagery is more symbolic, often resonating with ritual ideals of cleanliness, auspicious scent, and sattvic sustenance.