Shloka 33

Matsya Purana — Vishnu’s Names Across Yugas and the Gods’ Refuge During the Tārakāmaya War

Devanagari script

वीरवृक्षलतागुल्मं भुजगोत्कृष्टशैवलम् द्वादशार्कमहाद्वीपं रुद्रैकादशपत्तनम् //

Transliteration

vīravṛkṣalatāgulmaṃ bhujagotkṛṣṭaśaivalam dvādaśārkamahādvīpaṃ rudraikādaśapattanam //

Translation

It should be adorned with heroic (auspicious) trees, creepers, and shrubs; its waters should have excellent algae and be graced by serpents. It should be arranged with twelve ‘sun-like’ great divisions (islands/quarters), and the city should be established with eleven Rudra-sanctuaries (or Rudra-related precincts).

Word by Word

• vīra-vṛkṣa: auspicious/heroic trees

• latā: creepers, vines

• gulma: shrubs, thickets

• bhujaga: serpent (nāga)

• utkṛṣṭa: excellent, superior

• śaivala: algae/aquatic vegetation

• dvādaśa: twelve

• arka: sun (also ‘sun-like’, radiant)

• mahā-dvīpa: great island/division/quarter

• rudra: Rudra (Śiva, the Rudra principle)

• ekādaśa: eleven

• pattanam: city, port-town, urban settlement

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Rudra
• Arka (Sun)
• Nāga (serpents)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• City Planning
• Sacred Geography
• Rudra Shrines
• Auspicious Flora

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to the Vastu/city-planning stream, prescribing auspicious natural features and sacred divisions for an ideal settlement.

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

It implies the king’s duty to found and maintain a well-ordered, ritually protected city—rich in auspicious vegetation, healthy water features, and properly installed Rudra-related sacred sites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, it points to a planned, segmented urban layout (twelve major divisions) and ritually to the establishment of eleven Rudra precincts/shrines as protective and sanctifying nodes of the city.