Shloka 14

Matsya Purana — Maya’s Nectar-Reservoir in Tripura and the Revival of the Slain in the Tripur...

Devanagari script

उत्पलैः कुमुदैः पद्मैर् वृतां कादम्बकैस्तथा चन्द्रभास्करवर्णाभैर् भीमैर् आवरणैर्वृताम् //

Transliteration

utpalaiḥ kumudaiḥ padmair vṛtāṃ kādambakaistathā candrabhāskaravarṇābhair bhīmair āvaraṇairvṛtām //

Translation

It was surrounded by blue lotuses, white water-lilies, and red lotuses, and also by kādamba trees; and it was enclosed by formidable ramparts whose hues were like the Moon and the Sun.

Word by Word

• utpalaiḥ: with blue lotuses

• kumudaiḥ: with white water-lilies (kumuda)

• padmaiḥ: with lotuses (padma)

• vṛtām: surrounded/encircled

• kādambakaiḥ: with kādamba trees

• tathā: and also

• candra-bhāskara-varṇābhaiḥ: having the colors/splendor of the Moon and the Sun

• bhīmaiḥ: formidable, awe-inspiring

• āvaraṇaiḥ: enclosures, ramparts, protective walls

• vṛtām: enclosed/surrounded

Speaker

• Suta (traditional Purana narrator) describing a sacred/royal architectural setting within the Matsya Purana’s Vastu-oriented discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Candra (Moon)
• Bhāskara (Sun)
• Utpala
• Kumuda
• Padma
• Kādamba

Tags

• Vastu
• Temple-Architecture
• Sacred-Garden
• Fortification
• Iconography-Setting

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on an auspicious, orderly sacred/royal enclosure—imagery typical of Vastu and divine-city description rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It reflects the kingly duty of maintaining a well-protected, prosperous realm: gardens, water-flora, and strong ramparts signify welfare (śrī) and security—core ideals of righteous governance in Purāṇic statecraft.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It highlights key Vastu markers: a planned enclosure (āvaraṇa/prākāra), protective fortification, and auspicious landscaping (lotus-filled waters, sacred trees). Such features are treated as prosperity-bringing and ritually pure surroundings for temples or royal precincts.