Shloka 8

Matsya Purana — The Cave-Sanctuary: Jewel-Lake

Devanagari script

नानामाणिक्यकुसुमैः सुप्रभाभरणोज्ज्वलैः तस्मिन्सरसि पद्मानि पद्मरागच्छदानि तु //

Transliteration

nānāmāṇikyakusumaiḥ suprabhābharaṇojjvalaiḥ tasminsarasi padmāni padmarāgacchadāni tu //

Translation

In that lake were lotus-flowers, their petals like padmarāga (rubies), shining with splendid brilliance, as though adorned with blossoms made of many kinds of jewels.

Word by Word

• nānā: many kinds

• māṇikya: gems/jewels

• kusumaiḥ: with flowers/blossoms

• su-prabhā: with splendid radiance

• bharaṇa: ornament/adornment

• ujjvalaiḥ: shining, brilliant

• tasmin: in that

• sarasi: lake

• padmāni: lotuses

• padmarāga: ruby (red gem)

• cchadāni: having petals/coverings

• tu: indeed/and

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the sacred locale (within the Matsya Purana’s narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Saras (sacred lake)
• Padma (lotus)
• Padmaraga (ruby)

Tags

• Tirtha
• Sacred geography
• Poetic description
• Auspicious imagery
• Puranic landscape

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it poetically portrays the auspicious beauty of a sacred lake, using jewel-and-lotus imagery to convey sanctity and splendor.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ethic of honoring tīrthas: kings and householders gain merit by protecting sacred waters, maintaining cleanliness, and supporting pilgrimage practices connected to such holy sites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, the verse highlights a tīrtha’s auspicious markers (radiance, lotus-filled waters), which are typical indicators for selecting and venerating sacred bathing spots; it implies a setting suitable for snāna (ritual bathing) and offerings near water.