Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Purūravas Beholds the Divine Himalayan River

Devanagari script

तस्यास्तीरभवा वृक्षाः सुगन्धकुसुमाञ्चिताः तथापकृष्टसंभ्रान्तभ्रमरस्तनिताकुलाः //

Transliteration

tasyāstīrabhavā vṛkṣāḥ sugandhakusumāñcitāḥ tathāpakṛṣṭasaṃbhrāntabhramarastanitākulāḥ //

Translation

On its banks stood trees decked with fragrant blossoms, and the whole place was filled with the humming—like thunder—of bees swarming in delighted agitation.

Word by Word

• तस्याः (tasyāḥ): of that (river/place)

• तीर-भवाः (tīra-bhavāḥ): growing on the bank

• वृक्षाः (vṛkṣāḥ): trees

• सुगन्ध-कुसुम-अञ्चिताः (sugandha-kusuma-añcitāḥ): adorned with fragrant flowers

• तथा (tathā): and also

• अपकृष्ट (apakṛṣṭa): drawn/attracted (towards the flowers)

• संभ्रान्त (saṃbhrānta): excited, whirling about

• भ्रमर (bhramara): bees

• स्तनित (stanita): rumbling/humming (lit. thunder-like sound)

• आकुलाः (ākulāḥ): filled, crowded, pervaded

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the sacred locale within the Matsya Purana’s pilgrimage/geography narration

Entities Mentioned

• Trees (vṛkṣāḥ)
• Bees (bhramara)
• Riverbank (tīra)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred geography
• Nature imagery
• Pilgrimage setting
• Matsya Purana landscape

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya; it paints an auspicious, life-filled sacred landscape—flowering trees and swarming bees—typical of tirtha (pilgrimage) settings.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ideal of maintaining auspicious environments—protecting groves, riverbanks, and flowering trees—seen as meritorious for householders and a king’s dharma of safeguarding natural and sacred spaces.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While not giving technical temple rules, it highlights an auspicious site-character: water nearby, fragrant flowering trees, and thriving bees—features often valued when choosing sacred or ritual locations and, broadly, in selecting pleasant surroundings for hermitages and shrines.