Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

गजेन्द्राभोगवपुषं क्वचित्केसरिवर्चसम् युक्तमृक्षसहस्रेण समृद्धाम्बुदनादितम् //

Transliteration

gajendrābhogavapuṣaṃ kvacitkesarivarcasam yuktamṛkṣasahasreṇa samṛddhāmbudanāditam //

Translation

In one form it has the massive, expansive body of a lordly elephant; in another, the splendour of a lion. It is attended by a thousand bears, and it resounds like a sky filled with swelling thunderclouds.

Word by Word

• gajendra: lord of elephants, mighty elephant

• ābhoga: expansive bulk, wide spread

• vapuṣam: having a body/form

• kvacit: somewhere/at times, in some depiction

• kesari: lion

• varcasam: brilliance, radiance, splendour

• yuktam: joined with, accompanied by

• ṛkṣa: bear

• sahasreṇa: by/with a thousand

• samṛddha: abundant, full, richly developed

• ambuda: cloud

• nāditam: made to sound, roaring/resounding

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (iconographic/description passage within the Matsya Purana discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Gajendra (elephant)
• Kesari (lion)
• Riksha (bear)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Divine Splendour
• Temple Art
• Puranic Imagery

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is an iconographic-style description emphasizing overwhelming strength, radiance, and a thunderous presence through animal similes (elephant, lion, cloud-roar).

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic practice by guiding proper reverence and accurate depiction/visualization of divine power in worship—helping kings and householders sponsor temples and images in a manner consistent with Purāṇic norms.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse functions as a descriptive lakṣaṇa (mark) useful for temple art and ritual visualization: the deity’s form should convey elephant-like magnitude, lion-like brilliance, and a cloud-like roar—traits artists and patrons could translate into sculpture, posture, entourage motifs, and the overall aesthetic of sanctum imagery.