Matsya Purana — Description of Atri’s Hermitage: Sacred Grove Planning, Shloka 21

Devanagari script

तथा गुग्गुलवृक्षैश्च हिन्तालधवलेक्षुभिः तृणशून्यैः करवीरैर् अशोकैश् चक्रमर्दनैः //

Transliteration

tathā guggulavṛkṣaiśca hintāladhavalekṣubhiḥ tṛṇaśūnyaiḥ karavīrair aśokaiś cakramardanaiḥ //

Translation

เช่นเดียวกัน พึงปลูกต้นคุคคุลุ ต้นหินตาล (ตาล), อ้อยสีอ่อน และโดยรักษาพื้นดินให้ปราศจากหญ้ารก พึงปลูกกรวีระ (ยี่โถ), อโศก และพืชจักรมรรทนะด้วย

Word by Word

• tathā: likewise

• guggulu-vṛkṣaiḥ: with guggulu trees (Commiphora wightii, resin-bearing)

• ca: and

• hintāla: hintāla palm (a type of palm)

• dhavala-ikṣubhiḥ: with white/pale sugarcane

• tṛṇa-śūnyaiḥ: with (plots) free from grass/weeds

• karavīraiḥ: with karavīra (oleander)

• aśokaiḥ: with aśoka trees

• cakramardanaiḥ: with cakramardana plants (a medicinal herb, often identified with Cassia/Senna species).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• Guggulu
• Hintāla
• Ikṣu (Sugarcane)
• Karavīra
• Aśoka
• Cakramardana

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Garden design
• Auspicious plants
• Ritual landscaping
• Matsya Purana Vastu Shastra tips

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it gives practical Vastu-oriented guidance on selecting and arranging specific plants and keeping the ground weed-free, emphasizing orderly, auspicious habitation rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It supports the duty of maintaining a well-ordered, healthy, and auspicious environment—through planned planting and cleanliness—which a king applies to towns and public gardens and a householder applies to home compounds and sacred spaces.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The ritual-architectural point is landscape prescription: certain trees and medicinal plants (guggulu, aśoka, etc.) are recommended as auspicious plantings, and the instruction to keep areas tṛṇaśūnya (free of wild grass) aligns with Vastu ideals of purity, order, and maintained precincts around homes/temples.