Shloka 57

Matsya Purana — Hiranyakashipu’s Boons

Devanagari script

प्रियङ्गुपाटलावृक्षाः शाल्मल्यः सहरिद्रकाः सालास्तालास्तमालाश्च चम्पकाश्च मनोरमाः //

Transliteration

priyaṅgupāṭalāvṛkṣāḥ śālmalyaḥ saharidrakāḥ sālāstālāstamālāśca campakāśca manoramāḥ //

Translation

There were priyaṅgu and pāṭalā trees, śālmali trees along with turmeric-bearing plants; and also sāla, tāla, tamāla, and charming campaka trees—delightful to behold.

Word by Word

• priyaṅgu: priyaṅgu (fragrant shrub/tree)

• pāṭalā-vṛkṣāḥ: pāṭalā trees (Bignonia/Trumpet-flower tree)

• śālmalyaḥ: śālmali trees (silk-cotton tree)

• sa-haridrakāḥ: together with haridrā (turmeric) / turmeric-bearing growth

• sālāḥ: sāla trees (Shorea robusta)

• tālāḥ: tāla palms (palmyra)

• tamālāḥ: tamāla trees (Indian bay/black cassia)

• campakāḥ: campaka trees (Michelia champaca)

• manoramāḥ: charming, delightful

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) recounting the Matsya Purana discourse tradition

Entities Mentioned

• Priyaṅgu
• Pāṭalā
• Śālmali
• Haridrā
• Sāla
• Tāla
• Tamāla
• Campaka

Tags

• SacredGroves
• Flora
• Tirtha
• Auspiciousness
• LandscapeDescription

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya; it focuses on describing an auspicious, beautiful landscape filled with specific sacred and fragrant trees.

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

By highlighting auspicious trees and fertile groves, it supports the householder’s and king’s dharma of maintaining gardens, protecting forests, and fostering prosperity and well-being through ecological care.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Such tree-lists often function as Vastu and ritual cues: planting or preserving fragrant and auspicious species (like campaka and tamāla) around temples, tīrthas, and settlements is considered beneficial for sanctity, beauty, and prosperity.