Matsya Purana — Description of Atri’s Hermitage: Sacred Grove Planning, Shloka 37

Devanagari script

शङ्गवेराजमोदाभिः कुबेरकप्रियालकैः जलजैश्च तथा वणैर् नानावर्णैः सुगन्धिभिः //

Transliteration

śaṅgaverājamodābhiḥ kuberakapriyālakaiḥ jalajaiśca tathā vaṇair nānāvarṇaiḥ sugandhibhiḥ //

Translation

Avec le śaṅgavera (gingembre sec) et l’ajamodā (ajwain), avec le kuberaka et les chers arbres priyālaka; ainsi que des plantes nées des eaux; et des bosquets et floraisons de multiples couleurs, abondantes en parfums.

Word by Word

• śaṅgavera: dry ginger

• ajamodābhiḥ: with ajamodā (ajwain/ajamoda herb)

• kuberaka: a fragrant plant/tree associated with Kubera (wealth-deity)

• priya-ālaka(iḥ): priyālaka trees (a valued, auspicious tree)

• jalajaiḥ: with reminding aquatic plants (water-born)

• ca tathā: and also

• vaṇaiḥ: with groves/thickets/plantings

• nānā-varṇaiḥ: of many colors

• sugandhibhiḥ: fragrant, sweet-smelling

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Kubera

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Temple precinct
• Sacred landscaping
• Auspicious plants
• Ritual fragrance

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it belongs to the Vastu/ritual-setup context, emphasizing auspicious, fragrant plantings for sacred spaces rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It supports dharmic stewardship: a king or householder maintains clean, beautiful, and auspicious surroundings for worship and public merit—planting fragrant herbs, trees, and water-plants as part of righteous maintenance of sacred and civic spaces.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It indicates temple-precinct planning (Vastuvidya): selecting specific fragrant herbs/trees and multi-colored, sweet-smelling groves—including water-plants—to enhance sanctity, ritual suitability, and auspiciousness of the built sacred environment.