Matsya Purana — Description of Atri’s Hermitage: Sacred Grove Planning, Shloka 58

Devanagari script

दंष्ट्रान्खड्गान्वराहांश्च तुरंगान्खरगर्दभान् एतान् अद्विष्टान्मद्रेशो विरुद्धांश्च परस्परम् //

Transliteration

daṃṣṭrānkhaḍgānvarāhāṃśca turaṃgānkharagardabhān etān adviṣṭānmadreśo viruddhāṃśca parasparam //

Translation

Babi hutan bertaring menonjol, badak sumbu, babi hutan (sekali lagi), kuda, serta keldai dan baghal—semuanya hendaklah dipelihara tanpa permusuhan sesama sendiri; kerana sang tuan (raja/ketua rumah) tidak patut memelihara makhluk yang saling bermusuhan.

Word by Word

• daṃṣṭrān: tusked (animals)/those with prominent tusks

• khaḍgān: rhinoceroses (khaḍga)

• varāhān: boars

• ca: and

• turaṅgān: horses

• khara-gardabhān: mules and asses (khara = mule/horse-like beast

• etān: these

• adviṣṭān: not hating, free from enmity

• madreśaḥ: the lord here (likely the ruler/householder who maintains them)

• viruddhān: mutually opposed/hostile

• ca: and

• parasparam: to each other, mutually

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching Vaivasvata Manu in a didactic passage)

Entities Mentioned

• Varaha (boar)
• Turaṅga (horse)
• Khaḍga (rhinoceros)
• Gardabha (donkey)

Tags

• Omens
• Animal-lakshana
• Royal-duties
• Ritual-purity
• Vastuvidya

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a practical injunction on maintaining animals without mutual enmity, reflecting the Purana’s concern for auspicious order rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It advises a ruler/householder to keep stables or animal holdings in a harmonious state—avoiding pairs or groups of creatures that are naturally antagonistic—since disorder and conflict are treated as inauspicious and administratively harmful.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Indirectly, it supports Vastu/ritual cleanliness: enclosures (gośālā/aśvaśālā) should not foster conflict, because violence, fear, and agitation are considered inauspicious conditions affecting the sanctity and fortune of a residence or royal establishment.