Shloka 25

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

Devanagari script

सिंहव्याघ्रगताश्चान्ये वराहर्क्षेषु चापरे केचित्खरोष्ट्रयातारः केचिच्छ्वापदवाहनाः //

Transliteration

siṃhavyāghragatāścānye varāharkṣeṣu cāpare kecitkharoṣṭrayātāraḥ kecicchvāpadavāhanāḥ //

Translation

Some are shown riding lions and tigers; others, again, upon boars and bears. Some are depicted as mounted on donkeys or camels, and some as having wild beasts as their vehicles.

Word by Word

• सिंह (siṃha): lion

• व्याघ्र (vyāghra): tiger

• गताः (gatāḥ): gone/placed upon, mounted

• च (ca): and

• अन्ये (anye): others

• वराह (varāha): boar

• ऋक्षेषु (ṛkṣeṣu): on bears (locative plural)

• च (ca): and

• अपरे (apare): others, further

• केचित् (kecit): some

• खर (khara): donkey

• उष्ट्र (uṣṭra): camel

• यातारः (yātāraḥ): riders/travellers, those who ride

• केचिच् (kecic): some

• श्वापद (śvāpad): wild beast/predatory animal

• वाहनाः (vāhanāḥ): vehicles, mounts

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in instruction to Vaivasvata Manu on iconographic conventions)

Entities Mentioned

• Simha (lion)
• Vyaghra (tiger)
• Varaha (boar)
• Riksha (bear)
• Khara (donkey)
• Ushtra (camel)
• Shvapada (wild beasts)

Tags

• Iconography
• Vahana
• Pratima Lakshana
• Temple Art
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it catalogs iconographic vāhanas (mounts) used to identify and depict divine or semi-divine figures in temple art.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic patronage: a king or householder sponsoring temple construction should ensure images are made according to śāstric conventions—such as correct vāhanas—so worship and public instruction remain orthodox.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It is significant for temple iconography and installation: the prescribed vāhana (lion, tiger, boar, bear, donkey, camel, or other wild beasts) functions as a visual identifier and guides correct sculptural layout and ritual consecration of images.