Shloka 8

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

Devanagari script

सर्वर्तुकुसुमाकीर्णं नानौषधिविदीपितम् नानाधातुरसस्रावचित्रं नानागुहागृहम् //

Transliteration

sarvartukusumākīrṇaṃ nānauṣadhividīpitam nānādhāturasasrāvacitraṃ nānāguhāgṛham //

Translation

It was strewn with blossoms of every season, illumined by many kinds of medicinal herbs, made wondrous by streams flowing with the essences of diverse minerals, and filled with many cave-dwellings.

Word by Word

• sarva-ṛtu: all seasons

• kusuma: flowers, blossoms

• ākīrṇam: strewn, covered

• nānā: various, many

• auṣadhi: medicinal herb

• vidīpitam: made bright/illumined

• dhātu: mineral/ore

• rasa: essence, sap, mineral juice

• srāva: flowing, seepage/streaming

• citram: wondrous, variegated

• guhā: cave

• gṛham: house, dwelling

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s account; descriptive passage within the dialogue tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Auṣadhi (medicinal herbs)
• Dhātu (minerals/ores)
• Guhā (caves)

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• Sacred geography
• Tirtha landscape
• Mountains
• Natural iconography

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it describes an auspicious, life-supporting landscape—seasonal flowers, healing herbs, and mineral streams—signs of stability and sacredness rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It implies criteria for protecting and selecting prosperous regions: a king should safeguard forests, medicinal plants, and water-bearing mineral lands, while householders and āśrama-dwellers may seek such balanced environments for health, longevity, and dharmic living.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The features—abundant flora, medicinal herbs, mineral-water seepages, and natural caves—function as Vāstu-style markers of an auspicious site suitable for hermitages, shrines, or sacred habitation, indicating fertility, resources, and sanctity.