Vamana Purana — Prahlada's Instructions to Bali, Shloka 48

Prahlada’s Instructions to Bali on Vishnu Worship, Monthly Gifts, and Building Hari’s Temple

Devanagari script

आरामा विविधा हृद्याः पुष्पाढ्याः फलशालिनः लतापल्लवसंछन्ना देवदारुभिरावृताः

Transliteration

ārāmā vividhā hṛdyāḥ puṣpāḍhyāḥ phalaśālinaḥ latāpallavasaṃchannā devadārubhirāvṛtāḥ

Translation

വിവിധമായ ഹൃദയഹാരിയായ ആരാമങ്ങൾ (ഉദ്യാനങ്ങൾ) ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു; പുഷ്പസമൃദ്ധവും ഫലസമൃദ്ധവും; ലതകളും কোমല പല്ലവങ്ങളും കൊണ്ട് മൂടപ്പെട്ടതും ദേവദാരു വൃക്ഷങ്ങൾ കൊണ്ട് ചുറ്റപ്പെട്ടതും।

Speakers

• Unspecified in the provided excerpt (continuation of the chapter’s tirtha/kshetra description).

Key Themes

• Tirtha Mahima
• Sacred landscape aesthetics
• Merit through maintaining sacred environs

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "adbhuta", "secondaryRasa": "shanta", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

Why does a Purāṇa describing a tīrtha spend verses on groves, flowers, and trees?

In tīrtha-māhātmya sections, the sanctity of place is conveyed through its ‘dhārmic ecology’: ordered groves, shade, fruit, and flowers indicate a maintained sacred environment that supports pilgrimage, worship, and hospitality. Such descriptions also function as prescriptions—encouraging patrons to create and preserve these features.

What is the significance of devadāru in sacred geography?

Devadāru (deodar/cedar) is a prestigious, long-lived mountain tree associated with purity, fragrance, and temple architecture. Mentioning devadāru suggests a revered, well-appointed sacred precinct—often implying cool shade, durability, and a ‘divine’ ambience appropriate for ascetics and worship.

Is this verse purely poetic, or does it imply religious merit?

It is both. The poetic surface depicts beauty, while the implied dharma is that establishing and protecting such groves around a sacred site is a meritorious act (puṇya), supporting pilgrims and enabling regular worship and charity.