Shloka 49

Matsya Purana — Hiranyakashipu’s Boons

Devanagari script

पुष्पिताग्रा महाशाखाः प्रवालाङ्कुरधारिणः लतावितानसंछन्ना नदीषु च सरःसु च //

Transliteration

puṣpitāgrā mahāśākhāḥ pravālāṅkuradhāriṇaḥ latāvitānasaṃchannā nadīṣu ca saraḥsu ca //

Translation

Great-branched trees, their tips in bloom and bearing reddish tender sprouts, stand covered with vine-canopies—along rivers and around lakes as well.

Word by Word

• पुष्पिताग्रा (puṣpitāgrā): having flowered tops

• महाशाखाः (mahāśākhāḥ): with great/large branches

• प्रवाल (pravāla): reddish/tender (coral-like) growth

• अङ्कुर (aṅkura): sprout

• धारिणः (dhāriṇaḥ): bearing/possessing

• लता (latā): creeper/vine

• वितान (vitāna): canopy/awning

• संछन्ना (saṃchannā): covered/overhung

• नदीषु (nadīṣu): in/along rivers

• च (ca): and

• सरःसु (saraḥsu): in/around lakes/ponds

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, Vastu-oriented description)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu
• rivers (nadī)
• lakes/ponds (saras)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Landscape
• Sacred Groves
• Water Bodies
• Auspicious Signs

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it depicts a flourishing, auspicious natural landscape—flowering trees and vine-covered growth along rivers and lakes—more aligned with worldly order and beautified habitation than dissolution.

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

It supports the ideal of maintaining well-watered, verdant surroundings—planting and protecting groves near rivers and ponds—an implied duty of rulers and householders to steward land, ensure beauty, shade, and ecological well-being around settlements.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

In Vastu-oriented planning, riversides and pond-banks are treated as key auspicious zones; the verse highlights desirable vegetation—flowering, sprouting trees and vine-canopies—suggesting recommended environmental features for temple precincts, gardens, and settlement landscapes.