Matsya Purana — Description of the Daitya–Dānava War Preparations and Maya’s Divine Chariots, Shloka 4

Devanagari script

ईहामृगगणाकीर्णं पक्षिपङ्क्तिविराजितम् दिव्यास्त्रतूणीरधरं पयोधरविनादितम् //

Transliteration

īhāmṛgagaṇākīrṇaṃ pakṣipaṅktivirājitam divyāstratūṇīradharaṃ payodharavināditam //

Translation

সেয়া ঈহা-মৃগৰ দলৰে আৱৃত, পক্ষীৰ শাৰীশাৰীত শোভিত, দিব্য অস্ত্ৰযুক্ত তূণীৰ ধাৰণকাৰী, আৰু বৰ্ষাধৰ মেঘৰ গর্জনৰ দৰে নিনাদিত আছিল।

Word by Word

• īhā-mṛga-gaṇa-ākīrṇam: filled with groups of īhā-deer (a class of deer/antelope)

• pakṣi-paṅkti-virājitam: shining/beautified by lines (flocks) of birds

• divya-astra-tūṇīra-dharam: having/possessing quivers (tūṇīra) of divine weapons/missiles

• payodhara-vināditam: resounding/echoing with clouds (payodhara, ‘rain-bearers’)

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) or the primary narrator describing the landscape within the Matsya Purāṇa’s discourse (contextual descriptive passage).

Entities Mentioned

• īhā-mṛga (deer/antelope class)
• pakṣi (birds)
• divyāstra (divine weapons)
• payodhara (rain-clouds)

Tags

• Sacred geography
• Forest description
• Puranic imagery
• Divine weapons
• Nature omens

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it highlights the cosmic order expressed through nature—clouds, animals, and sound—rather than describing Pralaya itself; the emphasis is on a thriving, auspicious environment.

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

It reflects the ideal of maintaining and honoring prosperous, well-ordered landscapes—important for a king’s protection of forests and sacred regions, and for householders choosing auspicious places aligned with dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse supplies classic auspicious-site markers (abundant wildlife, pleasing bird-flocks, cloud-sounds), which can be read alongside Matsya Purāṇa’s Vāstu sensibility: a living, resonant, well-watered environment is favorable for sacred activity and establishment.