Shloka 11

Matsya Purana — Tripura Takes Refuge in the Ocean; Maya’s Hidden Nectar-Reservoir and the God...

Devanagari script

या सामृतरसा गूढा वापी वै निर्मिता त्वया समाकुलोत्पलवना समीनाकुलपङ्कजा //

Transliteration

yā sāmṛtarasā gūḍhā vāpī vai nirmitā tvayā samākulotpalavanā samīnākulapaṅkajā //

Translation

That concealed well or pool you have built is filled with nectar-like essence; it is dense with lotus-groves, and its lotuses are thronged with fish.

Word by Word

• yā: which/that

• sāmṛta-rasā: having the taste/essence of nectar (amṛta-like)

• gūḍhā: hidden, concealed, well-covered

• vāpī: well, stepwell, pool/reservoir

• vai: indeed

• nirmitā: constructed, made

• tvayā: by you

• samākula: crowded, teeming with

• utpala-vanā: having a grove/cluster of blue lotuses (utpala)

• sa-mīna-ākula: crowded with fish

• paṅkajā: lotuses (literally “born of mud”).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice describing the feature; within the broader Matsya Purana dialogue tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Vāpī (water-reservoir/stepwell)
• Utpala (blue lotus)
• Paṅkaja (lotus)
• Mīna (fish)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Waterworks
• Sacred ponds
• Temple gardens
• Purāṇic imagery

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; instead, it uses amṛta-like water imagery to present a life-sustaining, auspicious reservoir—an opposite motif to destructive flood themes.

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

Constructing and maintaining public waterworks (wells, ponds, stepwells) is a classic dharmic duty in Purāṇic ethics—supporting people, animals, and ritual needs through reliable, pure water.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse highlights a properly made vāpī (engineered water-reservoir) integrated with lotus-groves and aquatic life—key markers of an auspicious, functional sacred water feature in Vastu-oriented planning.