Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — The Cave-Sanctuary: Jewel-Lake

Devanagari script

समन्तात्सरसस्तस्य शैललग्ना तु वेदिका सौवर्णै राजतैर्वृक्षैर् विद्रुमैरुपशोभितम् //

Transliteration

samantātsarasastasya śailalagnā tu vedikā sauvarṇai rājatairvṛkṣair vidrumairupaśobhitam //

Translation

All around that lake there was a platform (vedikā) set against the hillside, beautifully adorned with golden and silver trees and with coral embellishments.

Word by Word

• samantāt: on all sides, all around

• sarasaḥ tasya: of that lake

• śaila-lagnā: attached to/leaning against the mountain (hillside)

• tu: indeed

• vedikā: altar-platform, raised terrace

• sauvarṇaiḥ: made of gold, golden

• rājataiḥ: made of silver, silvery

• vṛkṣaiḥ: with trees

• vidrumaiḥ: with corals (red coral ornaments)

• upaśobhitam: beautified, splendidly adorned

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s account in a descriptive passage)

Entities Mentioned

• sarasa (sacred lake)
• vedikā (platform/altar-terrace)
• śaila (mountain/hill)

Tags

• Vastu
• TempleArchitecture
• SacredLandscape
• Tirtha
• Ornamentation

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a Vastu-style description of an auspicious sacred setting—how a holy lake precinct is ornamented and spatially arranged.

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

It supports the ideal of dharmic patronage: rulers and wealthy householders are encouraged (elsewhere in the Purana) to build and embellish sacred precincts—lakes, platforms, and ritual spaces—as acts of merit (puṇya) and public benefit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key feature is the vedikā—an elevated platform/terrace near a sacred lake, anchored to a hillside—indicating deliberate site-planning (siting, stability, and auspicious beautification) consistent with Puranic Vastu and tirtha design.