Shloka 56

Matsya Purana — Hiranyakashipu’s Boons

Devanagari script

केतक्यशोकसरलाः पुंनागतिलकार्जुनाः चूता नीपाः प्रस्थपुष्पाः कदम्बा बकुला धवाः //

Transliteration

ketakyaśokasaralāḥ puṃnāgatilakārjunāḥ cūtā nīpāḥ prasthapuṣpāḥ kadambā bakulā dhavāḥ //

Translation

Ketakī, aśoka, and sarala trees; puṃnāga, tilaka, and arjuna; as well as mango (cūta), nīpa, prastha-puṣpa, kadamba, bakula, and dhava—these are (commended) trees for planting and presence in auspicious sacred and residential precincts.

Word by Word

• ketakī: screw-pine (pandanus) plant

• aśoka: Ashoka tree (Saraca asoca), auspicious flowering tree

• saralāḥ: sarala/pine-like trees (conifers

• puṃnāga: nagakesara/ironwood (Mesua ferrea), fragrant-flowered tree

• tilaka: tilaka tree (commonly a fragrant/ornamental tree-name)

• arjunaḥ: Arjuna tree (Terminalia arjuna)

• cūtaḥ: mango tree

• nīpaḥ: nīpa/kadamba-related fragrant tree (often associated with water/riverine groves)

• prasthapuṣpaḥ: ‘broad/abundant-flowered’ plant/tree-name (a listed ornamental species)

• kadambaḥ: Kadamba tree (Neolamarckia cadamba)

• bakulaḥ: Bakula (Mimusops elengi)

• dhavaḥ: Dhava tree (Anogeissus latifolia).

Speaker

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

Entities Mentioned

• Ketakī
• Aśoka
• Sarala
• Puṃnāga
• Tilaka
• Arjuna
• Cūta (Mango)
• Nīpa
• Prasthapuṣpa
• Kadamba
• Bakula
• Dhava

Tags

• Matsya Purana Vastu Shastra tips
• Sacred groves
• Auspicious trees
• Temple landscape
• Ritual ecology

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it provides a practical, dharmic list of auspicious trees—part of the Purana’s guidance for sustaining sacred order (dharma) in settled life after cosmic upheavals.

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

It supports the king’s and householder’s duty to maintain auspicious, life-supporting environments—planting and protecting recommended trees around settlements, gardens, and sacred precincts as a form of public welfare and dharmic stewardship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

In Vastu-oriented guidance, selecting specific auspicious trees for temple compounds, hermitages, and residential grounds is part of creating a ritually pure, fragrant, and beneficent landscape that complements worship and sacred space planning.