Shloka 26

Matsya Purana — The Cave-Sanctuary: Jewel-Lake

Devanagari script

शशाङ्करश्मेः संकाशं प्रासादं राजतं हितम् रम्यवैडूर्यसोपानं विद्रुमामलसारकम् //

Transliteration

śaśāṅkaraśmeḥ saṃkāśaṃ prāsādaṃ rājataṃ hitam ramyavaiḍūryasopānaṃ vidrumāmalasārakam //

Translation

A palace, gleaming like the rays of the moon, should be made of silver and be auspicious; its stairways should be charming, fashioned of vaidūrya (cat’s-eye gem), and its refined essence adorned with flawless coral.

Word by Word

• शशाङ्क (śaśāṅka): the moon

• रश्मेः (raśmeḥ): of the rays

• संकाशम् (saṃkāśam): resembling, shining like

• प्रासादम् (prāsādam): palace, mansion

• राजतम् (rājatam): of silver

• हितम् (hitam): beneficial, auspicious, well-suited

• रम्य (ramya): delightful, beautiful

• वैडूर्य (vaiḍūrya): cat’s-eye gem (vaidūrya)

• सोपानम् (sopānam): stairway, steps

• विद्रुम (vidruma): coral

• अमल (amala): spotless, pure

• सारकम् (sārakam): having essence/ornamentation, possessing refined substance (i.e., richly adorned).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu on Vāstu/Prāsāda features)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Prāsāda (palace)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Prasada
• Architecture
• Auspiciousness
• Royal Palace

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it belongs to the Vāstuvidyā material, specifying auspicious architectural qualities for a prāsāda (palace).

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

It frames royal building as a dharmic responsibility: the king should commission structures that are “hita” (beneficial/auspicious), emphasizing prosperity, beauty, and orderly construction as part of good governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It highlights prāsāda-lakṣaṇa ideals—moonlike lustre, silver construction, and gem/coral embellishments—signaling auspiciousness and high status in Puranic architectural aesthetics.