Shloka 16

Matsya Purana — Cosmic Creation: Emergence of the Great Elements and the Navel-Lotus

Devanagari script

हुताशनज्वलितशिखोज्ज्वलत्प्रभम् उपस्थितं शरदमलार्कतेजसम् विराजते कमलमुदारवर्चसं महात्मनस्तनुरुहचारुदर्शनम् //

Transliteration

hutāśanajvalitaśikhojjvalatprabham upasthitaṃ śaradamalārkatejasam virājate kamalamudāravarcasaṃ mahātmanastanuruhacārudarśanam //

Translation

His presence shines with a radiance like fire with blazing flames—like the spotless autumn sun. His body glows with the noble lustre of a lotus, and the fine hairs upon the great-souled One’s limbs are themselves a beautiful sight.

Word by Word

• hutāśana: fire

• jvalita: blazing

• śikhā: flame/tongue of fire

• ujjvalat-prabham: having brilliant radiance

• upasthitam: present/manifest

• śarad: autumn

• mala: stainless/pure

• arka: sun

• tejasam: splendour/energy

• virājate: shines forth/is resplendent

• kamala: lotus

• udāra: noble/excellent

• varcasam: lustre/glow

• mahātmanaḥ: of the great-souled One

• tanuruha: fine body-hair

• cāru-darśanam: beautiful to behold/pleasing in appearance

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) describing divine iconographic characteristics (as transmitted in the Matsya Purana dialogue)

Entities Mentioned

• Hutashana (Fire)
• Arka (Sun)
• Kamala (Lotus)
• Mahात्मन् (the Great-Souled Deity, i.e., Vishnu/Matsya contextually)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Divine Radiance
• Temple Art
• Murti Shastra

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on the visible splendour (tejas) and auspicious marks used to recognize and depict the deity in iconography.

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

By defining the deity’s auspicious brilliance and bodily signs, it supports dharmic worship: a king or householder should commission and venerate correctly formed images, sustaining public piety, temples, and righteous order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It functions as a pratima-lakṣaṇa guideline: the image should convey sun-like purity and fire-like brilliance, with lotus-like lustre—key cues for sculptors, painters, and consecration rites aiming at an icon that ‘appears alive’ with tejas.