Shloka 35

Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth

Devanagari script

सममिङ्गितभावविधिः स गिरिर् गगनेन सदोच्छ्रयतां हि गतः अधिवासविहारविधावुचितो दितिजने पविक्षतशृङ्गतटः //

Transliteration

samamiṅgitabhāvavidhiḥ sa girir gaganena sadocchrayatāṃ hi gataḥ adhivāsavihāravidhāvucito ditijane pavikṣataśṛṅgataṭaḥ //

Translation

That mountain—balanced in its signs and natural dispositions—rises loftily as though meeting the sky. With ridges and slopes unbroken and well-formed, it is deemed fit for dwelling and for establishing pleasure-groves or retreats, even for a community of people.

Word by Word

• sama: even, balanced

• iṅgita: signs/indications (auspicious marks)

• bhāva: natural disposition/condition

• vidhiḥ: rule/criterion

• giriḥ: mountain

• gaganeṇa: with/unto the sky

• sadā: always

• ucchrayatām gataḥ: having attained great height

• adhivāsa: residence/dwelling

• vihāra: recreation-grove/retreat/monastic park

• vidhau: in the procedure/rule

• ucitaḥ: suitable, proper

• jana: people/community

• śṛṅga: peak/ridge

• taṭa: slope/bank/side

• avikṣata: unbroken, uninjured, not fractured (i.e., intact).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu on Vāstu and site-selection)

Entities Mentioned

• Giri (sacred mountain/site)
• Adhivāsa (residence)
• Vihāra (retreat/grove)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Site Selection
• Sacred Geography
• Temple Planning
• Auspicious Signs

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to Vāstuvidyā guidance, describing auspicious physical features of a mountain suitable for settlement or religious/retreat construction.

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

It supports the duty of prudent governance and household planning: selecting stable, auspicious landforms for habitation and public works reduces risk and aligns settlement-building with dharmic, scriptural standards.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it recommends a high, well-proportioned mountain with intact peaks and slopes—an auspicious and structurally reliable site for residences, pleasure-groves, or religious retreats (vihāras) and related constructions.