Matsya Purana — The Devasura War: Tumult, Shloka 9

Devanagari script

कर्णिनालीकनाराचवत्सदन्तार्धचन्द्रकैः भल्लैश्च शतपत्त्रैश्च शुकतुण्डैश्च निर्मलैः //

Transliteration

karṇinālīkanārācavatsadantārdhacandrakaiḥ bhallaiśca śatapattraiśca śukatuṇḍaiśca nirmalaiḥ //

Translation

—mit Pfeilen mit ohrartigen Flügeln, mit Schossen auf rohrartigen Schäften, mit Eisenpfeilen, mit Spitzen in Kalbszahnform, mit Halbmondklingen; mit Bolzen vom Typ bhalla, mit „hundertblättrigen“ (vielklingigen) Köpfen und mit papageienschnabelförmigen Spitzen—hell glänzend und kunstvoll vollendet.

Word by Word

• कर्णि (karṇi): ear-finned/with side-flanges (arrowhead)

• नालीक (nālīka): reed-shafted/pipe-like dart

• नाराच (nārāca): iron arrow/steel-tipped missile

• वत्सदन्त (vatsadanta): calf-tooth–shaped (arrowhead)

• अर्धचन्द्रक (ardhacandraka): half-moon–shaped blade/arrowhead

• भल्ल (bhalla): a broad-headed bolt/arrow (bhalla type)

• शतपत्त्र (śatapattr(a)): hundred-leafed/many-bladed arrowhead

• शुकतुण्ड (śukatuṇḍa): parrot-beak–shaped point

• निर्मल (nirmala): clean, bright, well-polished

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s technical catalogue; ultimately framed as Matsya’s instruction tradition)

Tags

• Vastuvidya
• ShilpaShastra
• Iconography
• Archery
• WeaponTerminology

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it is a technical catalogue of arrowhead types, reflecting material and martial knowledge preserved in the Purana.

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

By listing specialized weapons, it aligns with rajadharma indirectly: a king’s duty includes maintaining a well-equipped defense and trained forces, supported by clear technical classifications.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The significance is technical rather than ritual: it preserves Shilpa/Vastu-adjacent terminology used in royal/temple economies (manufacture, standardization, and description of crafted implements).