Shloka 24

Matsya Purana — Pṛthu

Devanagari script

गन्धर्वैश्च पुरा दुग्धा वसुधा साप्सरोगणैः वत्सं चैत्ररथं कृत्वा गन्धान्पद्मदले तथा //

Transliteration

gandharvaiśca purā dugdhā vasudhā sāpsarogaṇaiḥ vatsaṃ caitrarathaṃ kṛtvā gandhānpadmadale tathā //

Translation

In ancient times, the Earth was ‘milked’ by the Gandharvas along with the hosts of Apsarases; taking Citraratha as the calf, they drew forth fragrances, collecting them likewise upon lotus-petals.

Word by Word

• गन्धर्वैः (gandharvaiḥ): by the Gandharvas

• च (ca): and

• पुरा (purā): formerly, in ancient times

• दुग्धा (dugdhā): milked, extracted

• वसुधा (vasudhā): the Earth

• स-अप्सरोगणैः (sāpsarogaṇaiḥ): together with the groups of Apsarases

• वत्सम् (vatsam): as the calf

• चैत्ररथम् (caitraratham): Citraratha (chief Gandharva)

• कृत्वा (kṛtvā): having made, having taken

• गन्धान् (gandhān): fragrances, perfumes

• पद्मदले (padmadale): on lotus-petals

• तथा (tathā): thus, likewise

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana’s narrative frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Gandharvas
• Apsarases
• Vasudha (Earth)
• Citraratha

Tags

• Cosmogony
• Puranic symbolism
• Earth milking
• Sacred substances
• Ritual materials

FAQs

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

Rather than describing Pralaya directly, this verse presents a cosmogonic motif: the Earth as a source of primordial resources, from which specific beings ‘extract’ substances—here, fragrances—indicating an ordered distribution of materials in the world.

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

It indirectly supports dharmic life by explaining the sacred origin of fragrances used in worship and refined living; householders and kings employ perfumes in yajña, pūjā, and courtly/ceremonial rites as sanctioned ritual materials.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Fragrances (gandha) are core upacāras in pūjā and temple ritual; the lotus-petal imagery also aligns with offering protocols (placing aromatic substances on flowers/leaves) used in Puranic worship practice.