Shloka 7

Matsya Purana — The Greatness and Procedure of the Sarva-Phala-Tyaga Vrata

Devanagari script

मूलकामलकं जम्बूतिन्तिडीकरमर्दकम् कङ्कोलैलाकतुण्डीरकरीरकुटजं शमी //

Transliteration

mūlakāmalakaṃ jambūtintiḍīkaramardakam kaṅkolailākatuṇḍīrakarīrakuṭajaṃ śamī //

Translation

These are to be taken/used: the root of āmalaka (Indian gooseberry), jambū (rose-apple), tintiḍī (tamarind), karamarda (karonda); also kaṅkola (cubeb), ilā (cardamom), katuṇḍīra, karīra, kuṭaja (kurchi), and śamī.

Word by Word

• mūla: root

• kāmalaka/āmalaka: Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis)

• jambū: rose-apple/jamun (Syzygium cumini)

• tintiḍī: tamarind (Tamarindus indica)

• karamardaka: karonda (Carissa carandas)

• kaṅkola: cubeb/tailed pepper (Piper cubeba)

• ilā: cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)

• katuṇḍīra: a pungent medicinal plant (identification varies in nighaṇṭus)

• karīra: caper bush (Capparis decidua)

• kuṭaja: kurchi/indrayava (Holarrhena antidysenterica)

• śamī: śamī tree (Prosopis cineraria)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Āmalaka (Amla)
• Jambū
• Tintiḍī
• Karamarda
• Kaṅkola
• Ilā (Cardamom)
• Katuṇḍīra
• Karīra
• Kuṭaja
• Śamī

Tags

• Ayurveda
• Herbs
• MateriaMedica
• MatsyaPurana
• HouseholderHealth

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it is a practical catalogue of edible/medicinal plant substances used for health and treatment.

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

It supports rājadharma and gṛhastha-dharma indirectly by preserving health and public welfare—listing commonly known fruits, roots, and drugs that would be part of household regimen and a king’s broader concern for medicine and provisioning.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu/temple rule is stated; the closest ritual link is that several items (āmalaka, śamī, spices) commonly appear in offerings and purificatory preparations, but the verse itself is primarily medicinal/enumerative.