Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Rites for Consecrating and Celebrating Trees

Devanagari script

अनेन विधिना यस्तु कुर्याद्वृक्षोत्सवं बुधः सर्वान्कामानवाप्नोति फलं चानन्त्यमश्नुते //

Transliteration

anena vidhinā yastu kuryādvṛkṣotsavaṃ budhaḥ sarvānkāmānavāpnoti phalaṃ cānantyamaśnute //

Translation

The wise person who performs the tree-festival according to this prescribed method attains all desired aims, and also enjoys an imperishable, endless fruit of merit.

Word by Word

• anena: by this

• vidhinā: method/rite

• yaḥ tu: whoever indeed

• kuryāt: should perform/does

• vṛkṣa-utsavam: tree-festival (ceremonial planting/worship of trees)

• budhaḥ: the wise/learned person

• sarvān: all

• kāmān: desired objects/aims

• avāpnoti: obtains

• phalam: fruit/result (of merit)

• ca: and

• ānantyam: endlessness/imperishability

• aśnute: enjoys/partakes of

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Manu

Tags

• Dharma
• Vrata
• Tree worship
• Ritual procedure
• Punya

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya directly; it teaches that correctly performed dharmic rites—here, the vṛkṣotsava—produce enduring merit that persists beyond ordinary, temporary worldly gains.

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

It frames vṛkṣotsava (ceremonial tree planting/worship) as a prescribed dharmic act: a householder gains both worldly fulfillments (kāmān) and lasting religious merit, while a ruler can promote public welfare and पुण्य by sponsoring such rites for the community.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it emphasizes strict adherence to vidhi (procedure) for results; by implication for Vastu-oriented practice, establishing and honoring trees/sacred groves is treated as an auspicious, merit-producing act connected with orderly settlement and temple/house environs.