Shloka 38

Matsya Purana — Mahāgaurī’s Entry

Devanagari script

प्रोत्फुल्लहेमकमलं नानाविहगनादितम् तच्छ्रुत्वा तु ततो देवी हेमद्रुममहाजलम् //

Transliteration

protphullahemakamalaṃ nānāvihaganāditam tacchrutvā tu tato devī hemadrumamahājalam //

Translation

It was filled with fully blossomed golden lotuses and resounded with the calls of many kinds of birds. Hearing that, the Goddess then (turned her attention toward) the great expanse of water by the golden trees (Hemadruma-mahājala).

Word by Word

• प्रोत्फुल्ल (protphulla): fully blossomed

• हेमकमलम् (hema-kamalam): golden lotus

• नाना (nānā): various, many kinds

• विहग (vihaga): bird

• नादितम् (nāditam): resounding, filled with calls

• तत् (tat): that

• श्रुत्वा (śrutvā): having heard

• तु (tu): then/indeed

• ततः (tataḥ): thereafter

• देवी (devī): the Goddess

• हेमद्रुम (hemadruma): golden trees / a grove of golden trees

• महाजलम् (mahājalam): great water, vast lake/expanse

Speaker

• Suta (narrative voice describing the scene; dialogue context within Matsya Purana’s descriptive passage)

Entities Mentioned

• Devi
• Hemakamala (golden lotus)
• Vihaga (birds)
• Hemadruma
• Mahajala (great waters)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred geography
• Divine landscape
• Nature imagery
• Pilgrimage merit

FAQs

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

This verse is not a Pralaya (cosmic dissolution) statement; it is a descriptive passage of an auspicious, divine water-body marked by golden lotuses and bird-calls, emphasizing sacred geography rather than cosmic catastrophe.

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

Indirectly, it supports Purāṇic ethics that praise maintaining and honoring life-giving water bodies (lakes, tanks, groves). For a king or householder, protecting such sites and supporting pilgrimage infrastructure is treated as meritorious dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The focus on a lotus-filled “mahājala” aligns with Purāṇic/Vāstu ideals that sacred tanks and well-designed water reservoirs near temples or holy sites are auspicious; lotus growth and natural soundscape (birds) are traditional markers of a healthy, ritually pure water-body.