Matsya Purana — Description of Atri’s Hermitage: Sacred Grove Planning, Shloka 16

Devanagari script

पुष्पाङ्कुरैश्च बकुलैः पारिभद्रहरिद्रकैः धाराकदम्बैः कुटजैः कदम्बैर् गिरिकुटजैः //

Transliteration

puṣpāṅkuraiśca bakulaiḥ pāribhadraharidrakaiḥ dhārākadambaiḥ kuṭajaiḥ kadambair girikuṭajaiḥ //

Translation

Il convient d’orner avec des pousses en fleurs, avec des arbres bakula, avec le pārijāta (pāribhadra) et des plants de curcuma; avec le dhārā-kadamba, le kuṭaja, le kadamba, et aussi le kuṭaja des montagnes.

Word by Word

• puṣpa-aṅkuraiḥ: with flower-buds/flowering shoots

• ca: and

• bakulaiḥ: with bakula trees (Mimusops elengi)

• pāribhadra: with pārijāta/pāribhadra trees (a sacred flowering tree)

• haridrakaiḥ: with turmeric plants

• dhārā-kadambaiḥ: with dhārā-kadamba trees (a variety of kadamba)

• kuṭajaiḥ: with kuṭaja trees (Holarrhena antidysenterica)

• kadambaiḥ: with kadamba trees (Neolamarckia cadamba)

• giri-kuṭajaiḥ: with mountain-kuṭaja (a hill variety of kuṭaja)

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s teaching as delivered in the Manu–Matsya dialogue context)

Entities Mentioned

• Bakula
• Pāribhadra (Pārijāta)
• Haridrā (Turmeric)
• Kadamba
• Kuṭaja

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Sacred Groves
• Temple Gardens
• Ritual Purity
• Auspicious Flora

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on auspicious planting—listing sacred and fragrant species used to beautify and sanctify a space such as a garden or temple precinct.

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

It reflects the duty of maintaining auspicious, clean, and dharmic surroundings—kings and householders were encouraged to establish well-planned gardens and sacred groves that support ritual life, public welfare, and devotional ambience.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse functions as a Vastu-aligned landscaping prescription: specific trees and plants (bakula, kadamba, kuṭaja, turmeric, etc.) are recommended for sacred or auspicious spaces, reinforcing purity, fragrance, and ritual suitability around built structures.