Matsya Purana — Description of Atri’s Hermitage: Sacred Grove Planning, Shloka 27

Devanagari script

त्रपुषैर्नर्तिकानां च प्रतानैः सफलैः शुभैः कूष्माण्डानां प्रतानैश्च अलाबूनां तथा क्वचित् //

Transliteration

trapuṣairnartikānāṃ ca pratānaiḥ saphalaiḥ śubhaiḥ kūṣmāṇḍānāṃ pratānaiśca alābūnāṃ tathā kvacit //

Translation

Et, en certains endroits, on doit confectionner des festons de bon augure—avec des gourdes trapuṣa, de la variété nartikā, et d’autres lianes fécondes aux beaux fruits; de même, avec des festons de kūṣmāṇḍa (courge cendrée) et d’alābū (calebasse).

Word by Word

• trapuṣaiḥ: with trapuṣa-gourds (a gourd/cucumber-like plant)

• nartikānām: of the nartikā variety (a named gourd/creeper type)

• ca: and

• pratānaiḥ: with festoons/garlands/hanging creeper-arrangements

• saphalaiḥ: fruit-bearing, with fruits

• śubhaiḥ: auspicious, favorable

• kūṣmāṇḍānām: of ash-gourds/winter melons

• pratānaiḥ: with festoons/creeper-hangings

• ca: and

• alābūnām: of bottle-gourds (calabash)

• tathā: likewise

• kvacit: in some places/at certain spots.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu, Vastu/ritual guidance context)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Ritual Decoration
• Auspicious Symbols
• Temple Architecture
• Mandapa

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on auspicious, materially tangible arrangements (vegetal festoons) used in ritual or architectural settings.

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

It reflects the dharmic duty of maintaining auspiciousness and proper procedure in public and domestic rites—ensuring spaces for worship, consecration, or ceremonies are prepared according to prescribed, sattvic ornamentation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It prescribes specific decorative elements—fruit-bearing creeper-festoons of gourds (trapuṣa, nartikā, kūṣmāṇḍa, alābū)—as auspicious adornments for designated areas (kvacit), aligning ritual space aesthetics with Vastu-ritual norms.