Shloka 25

Matsya Purana — Pṛthu

Devanagari script

दोग्धा वररुचिर्नाम नाट्यवेदस्य पारगः गिरिभिर्वसुधा दुग्धा रत्नानि विविधानि च //

Transliteration

dogdhā vararucirnāma nāṭyavedasya pāragaḥ giribhirvasudhā dugdhā ratnāni vividhāni ca //

Translation

Vararuci, famed as the ‘milker’ and a master of the Nāṭya-veda (the science of dramaturgy), milked the Earth; and by means of the mountains the Earth yielded many kinds of precious gems.

Word by Word

• दोग्धा: the milker/extractor

• वररुचिः: Vararuci (proper name)

• नाम: by name/known as

• नाट्यवेदस्य: of the Nāṭya-veda (dramatic/performative science)

• पारगः: one who has mastered/fully versed

• गिरिभिः: by the mountains/with mountains as the means

• वसुधा: the Earth

• दुग्धा: was milked/yielded (as milk)

• रत्नानि: gems, precious substances

• विविधानि: various, manifold

• च: and

Speaker

• Suta (Pauranik narrator) describing the traditional account (dialogue context ultimately within Matsya–Manu frame, but this verse is narrative exposition).

Entities Mentioned

• Vararuci
• Nāṭya-veda
• Vasudhā (Earth)
• Giri (Mountains)
• Ratna (Gems)

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Ratna
• Mythic Cosmology
• Arts (Natya)
• Resources of Earth

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; instead, it presents a cosmological motif where the Earth is ‘milked’ to manifest resources (gems), emphasizing ordered emergence of materials rather than dissolution.

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

By portraying the Earth as a source of regulated wealth (ratnas), it supports the dharmic idea that prosperity should be obtained through proper means and then used for righteous purposes—such as patronage of arts (Nāṭya) and public works.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Gems and mountain-born substances are key ‘auspicious materials’ in Puranic temple culture; this verse functions as a mythic justification for sourcing ratnas used in icon adornment, consecration gifts, and high-status architectural/ritual patronage.