Matsya Purana — Description of Atri’s Hermitage: Sacred Grove Planning, Shloka 10

Devanagari script

यवासैः शमिपर्णासैर् वेतसैर् अम्बुवेतसैः रक्तातिरङ्गनारङ्गैर् हिङ्गुभिः सप्रियङ्गुभिः //

Transliteration

yavāsaiḥ śamiparṇāsair vetasair ambuvetasaiḥ raktātiraṅganāraṅgair hiṅgubhiḥ sapriyaṅgubhiḥ //

Translation

Avec l’herbe yavāsa, les feuilles de śamī, les roseaux vetasa et les roseaux d’eau ambuvetasa ; avec des teintures rouges et des substances de couleur orangée ; et avec le hiṅgu (asafoetida) accompagné de priyaṅgu, plante odorante : tout cela doit être employé conformément à la règle.

Word by Word

• यवासैः: with yavāsa (a sacred grass/plant used in rites)

• शमिपर्णासैः: with śamī leaves

• वेतसैः: with reeds/canes

• अम्बुवेतसैः: with water-reeds/aquatic cane

• रक्तातिरङ्गनारङ्गैः: with red and orange-colored dyes/substances

• हिङ्गुभिः: with hiṅgu (asafoetida)

• सप्रियङ्गुभिः: together with priyangu (fragrant shrub/flower used in perfumery/ritual)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Śamī
• Hiṅgu
• Priyangu

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Ritual materials
• Temple rites
• Consecration
• Purification

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya directly; it lists specific plants, reeds, dyes, and aromatics to be used in prescribed rites, typical of the Matsya Purana’s practical ritual/vaidika-vaidika procedures rather than cosmology.

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

It supports dharmic duty by prescribing correct, pure materials for ceremonies—relevant to household sacraments and to royal patronage of temples and public rites, where proper substances (leaves, reeds, fragrances) are mandated for auspiciousness and ritual efficacy.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The items named function as sanctioned ritual materials—used in consecration, purification, anointing, fumigation, or preparation of sacred spaces/structures—aligning with Matsya Purana’s Vastuvidya-oriented instructions for temple and altar procedures.