Shloka 28

Matsya Purana — Pṛthu

Devanagari script

प्लक्षो ऽभवत्ततो वत्सः सर्ववृक्षो धनाधिपः एवमन्यैश्च वसुधा तदा दुग्धा यथेप्सितम् //

Transliteration

plakṣo 'bhavattato vatsaḥ sarvavṛkṣo dhanādhipaḥ evamanyaiśca vasudhā tadā dugdhā yathepsitam //

Translation

Then the plakṣa-tree became the calf, and Kubera, lord of wealth, became the milker; thus, by various others as well, the Earth was milked at that time to yield whatever was desired.

Word by Word

• प्लक्षः (plakṣaḥ): the plakṣa tree (a sacred fig)

• अभवत् (abhavat): became

• ततः (tataḥ): then

• वत्सः (vatsaḥ): calf (the ‘calf’ used in the milking metaphor)

• सर्ववृक्षः (sarvavṛkṣaḥ): all trees / the totality of trees

• धनाधिपः (dhanādhipaḥ): lord of wealth (Kubera)

• एवम् (evam): thus

• अन्यैः (anyaiḥ): by others (various beings/groups)

• च (ca): and

• वसुधा (vasudhā): the Earth

• तदा (tadā): at that time

• दुग्धा (dugdhā): was milked / yielded

• यथा-इप्सितम् (yathā-ipsitam): according to desire / as wished.

Speaker

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

Entities Mentioned

• Vasudha (Earth)
• Dhanadhipa (Kubera)
• Plaksha (tree)
• Sarvavriksha (all trees)

Tags

• Creation
• Cosmic resources
• Prosperity
• Mythic ecology
• Puranic metaphor

FAQs

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

It reflects a creation-oriented motif: the Earth is portrayed as a sustaining source that can be ‘milked’ to manifest resources—here, especially vegetation and wealth—rather than describing dissolution (pralaya).

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

By framing Earth as a provider of ‘desired yields’ when properly approached, it supports the dharmic ideal that rulers and householders must steward land and resources responsibly—seeking prosperity through right means rather than exploitation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or temple rule is stated; however, the verse underlines land (vasudhā) as the primary source of materials (notably trees/wood), which later Vastu and ritual sections treat as essential for construction and sacrificial implements.