Matsya Purana — Description of Atri’s Hermitage: Sacred Grove Planning, Shloka 33

Devanagari script

कुशगुल्मैस्तथा रम्यैर् गुल्मैश्चेक्षोर् मनोरमैः कार्पासजातिवर्गेण दुर्लभेन शुभेन च //

Transliteration

kuśagulmaistathā ramyair gulmaiścekṣor manoramaiḥ kārpāsajātivargeṇa durlabhena śubhena ca //

Translation

Et (le lieu) doit être orné de belles touffes d’herbe kuśa, de buissons charmants, de fourrés de canne à sucre agréables, ainsi que des variétés de cotonniers rares et de bon augure.

Word by Word

• kuśa-gulmaiḥ: with clumps/thickets of kuśa grass

• tathā: and also

• ramyaiḥ: delightful, charming

• gulmaiḥ: with shrubs/bushes

• ca: and

• ikṣoḥ: of sugarcane

• manora-maiḥ: pleasing to the mind, beautiful

• kārpāsa: cotton

• jāti-vargeṇa: by varieties/classes (of species)

• durlabhena: rare, not easily obtained

• śubhena: auspicious, beneficial

• ca: and

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Kuśa (sacred grass)
• Ikṣu (sugarcane)
• Kārpāsa (cotton)

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Landscape
• Auspicious plants
• Town planning
• Ritual ecology

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to a practical Vastuvidya context, emphasizing auspicious vegetation for a well-ordered, prosperous habitation.

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

It reflects the duty to establish and maintain a healthy, prosperous settlement—selecting beneficial and ritually auspicious plants (kuśa, sugarcane, cotton) that support livelihood, purity, and wellbeing.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse highlights Vastu-aligned landscaping: integrating sacred kuśa (ritual purity), productive sugarcane, and auspicious cotton varieties as part of an ideal planned environment around dwellings or civic spaces.