Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Genealogy of Kaśyapa: Ādityas

Devanagari script

द्विमूर्धा शकुनिश्चैव तथा शङ्कुशिरोधरः अयोमुखः शम्बरश् च कपिशो नामतस्तथा //

Transliteration

dvimūrdhā śakuniścaiva tathā śaṅkuśirodharaḥ ayomukhaḥ śambaraś ca kapiśo nāmatastathā //

Translation

Dvimūrdhā, Śakuni, and also Śaṅkuśirodhara; Ayomukha, Śambara, and likewise Kapiśa—these are their names as they are known.

Word by Word

• द्विमूर्धा (dvimūrdhā): ‘Two-headed’ (a named being)

• शकुनिः (śakuniḥ): Śakuni (a named being)

• च एव (ca eva): and also

• तथा (tathā): likewise

• शङ्कु-शिरोधरः (śaṅku-śirodharaḥ): ‘one bearing a spike/peg upon the head’ (a named being)

• अयोमुखः (ayomukhaḥ): ‘iron-faced / iron-mouthed’ (a named being)

• शम्बरः (śambaraḥ): Śambara (a named being)

• च (ca): and

• कपिशः (kapiśaḥ): Kapiśa (a named being)

• नामतः (nāmataḥ): by name / as names

• तथा (tathā): likewise / so too

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s account within the Manu–Matsya dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Dvimūrdhā
• Śakuni
• Śaṅkuśirodhara
• Ayomukha
• Śambara
• Kapiśa

Tags

• Puranic Catalogues
• Rakshasa Names
• Danava-Asura Lists
• Mythic Genealogy
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it functions as a name-list within the Purana’s broader cosmological narration, preserving traditional memory of powerful beings said to exist in earlier ages.

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

Indirectly, such catalogues support dharma-literature by identifying disruptive or hostile beings in the mythic world—background that frames the king’s duty to protect subjects and uphold order against forces of adharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is specified in this shloka; it is a straightforward enumeration of named beings rather than a temple-architecture or rite instruction.