Shloka 40

Matsya Purana — Tārakāsura’s Austerity and Boon; Mobilization for War; Bṛhaspati’s Fourfold P...

Devanagari script

शुक्लाम्बरपरिष्कारं चतुर्योजनविस्तृतम् नानाक्रीडागृहयुतं गीतवाद्यमनोहरम् //

Transliteration

śuklāmbarapariṣkāraṃ caturyojanavistṛtam nānākrīḍāgṛhayutaṃ gītavādyamanoharam //

Translation

Adorned with immaculate white drapery and furnishings, spread across an expanse of four yojanas, furnished with many pleasure-pavilions and play-houses, it was enchanting with song and instrumental music.

Word by Word

• śukla: white, pure

• ambara: garment, cloth, drapery

• pariṣkāraṃ: decoration, refinement, adornment

• catur: four

• yojana: a yojana (ancient measure of distance)

• vistṛtam: विस्तृतम्, विस्तारित, extended/spread out

• nānā: various, many kinds

• krīḍā: play, sport, recreation

• gṛha: house, pavilion

• yutaṃ: endowed with, furnished with

• gīta: song

• vādya: musical instrument, instrumental music

• manoharam: captivating, pleasing to the mind

Speaker

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

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Palace architecture
• Royal amenities
• Urban planning
• Performing arts

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on worldly splendor—an expansive, well-appointed complex characterized by refined decoration, leisure spaces, and courtly music.

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

It reflects an ideal of royal stewardship: providing orderly, cultivated spaces that support recreation and the arts, implying a king’s role in sustaining prosperity, culture, and well-designed public/royal infrastructure.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it highlights Vastu-oriented planning at large scale (measured extent), specialized recreational structures (krīḍā-gṛha), and aesthetic finishing (white drapery/ornamentation), suggesting integrated design for comfort, beauty, and cultural performance.