Shloka 35

Matsya Purana — Hiranyakashipu’s Boons

Devanagari script

साहाय्यं च महाबाहुर् ओंकारं गृह्य सत्वरम् अथौंकारसहायस्तु भगवान्विष्णुरव्ययः //

Transliteration

sāhāyyaṃ ca mahābāhur oṃkāraṃ gṛhya satvaram athauṃkārasahāyastu bhagavānviṣṇuravyayaḥ //

Translation

And, O mighty-armed one, swiftly take the syllable Oṃ as your aid; for with Oṃ as his support, the Blessed Lord Viṣṇu—imperishable—(becomes the unfailing helper).

Word by Word

• साहाय्यम्: help, support

• च: and

• महाबाहो/महाबाहुर्: O mighty-armed one

• ओंकारम्: the syllable Oṃ, Omkara

• गृह्य: having taken, adopting

• सत्वरम्: quickly, without delay

• अथ: then/indeed

• ओंकार-सहायः: having Om as aid/support

• तु: and indeed/but

• भगवान्: the Blessed Lord

• विष्णुः: Vishnu

• अव्ययः: imperishable, undecaying

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) addressing Vaivasvata Manu (likely vocative: mahābāho)

Entities Mentioned

• Omkara (Oṃ)
• Vishnu

Tags

• Vishnu-Upasana
• Mantra
• Omkara
• Protection
• Bhakti

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it points to the imperishable (avyaya) nature of Viṣṇu—an anchor beyond cosmic change—implying that Oṃ is a stabilizing refuge even when worlds undergo dissolution.

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

It recommends immediate reliance on Oṃ as spiritual support—practical guidance for rulers and householders to steady the mind, invoke divine protection, and act decisively with dharmic clarity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it elevates Oṃ as a primary supportive mantra (aid) in invocation; it can be understood as a core praṇava used at the start of rites, recitations, and protective prayers rather than a Vāstu/temple-measurement rule.