Shloka 10

Matsya Purana — The Cave-Sanctuary: Jewel-Lake

Devanagari script

कर्णिकाश्च तथा तेषां जातरूपस्य पार्थिव तस्मिन्सरसि या भूमिर् न सा वज्रसमाकुला //

Transliteration

karṇikāśca tathā teṣāṃ jātarūpasya pārthiva tasminsarasi yā bhūmir na sā vajrasamākulā //

Translation

And their pericarps (karnikā), O king, are of gold as well. The ground within that lake is not strewn with vajra-like hard stones and is free from obstructive gravel.

Word by Word

• कर्णिकाः: pericarps/central cores (of lotuses)

• च: and

• तथा: likewise

• तेषाम्: of them

• जातरूपस्य: of gold (lit. ‘jātarūpa’)

• पार्थिव: O king/earth-lord

• तस्मिन्: in that

• सरसि: lake/pond

• या: which

• भूमिः: ground/soil/land

• न: not

• सा: that

• वज्र-समाकुला: filled with ‘vajra’ (hard stones/pebbles), obstructed by rocky debris

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (the King)

Entities Mentioned

• Vaivasvata Manu
• Lord Matsya

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Sacred geography
• Land qualities
• Temple site selection
• Pilgrimage lakes

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it focuses on an auspicious sacred landscape—golden lotus-centers and land free from obstructive stones—used as a marker of purity and suitability.

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

It guides a ruler/householder in discerning auspicious, practical terrain: stone-free, stable ground near a sacred waterbody is implied to support dharmic settlement, ritual life, and public works without physical impediments.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It aligns with Vastu principles of site-selection (bhū-parīkṣā): land that is not ‘vajra-samākulā’ (cluttered with hard stones/gravel) is preferred for building and for establishing ritual spaces near tīrthas and saras.