Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — Hiranyakashipu’s Boons

Devanagari script

ततः स्वयंभूर्भगवान् स्वयमागम्य तत्र ह विमानेनार्कवर्णेन हंसयुक्तेन भास्वता //

Transliteration

tataḥ svayaṃbhūrbhagavān svayamāgamya tatra ha vimānenārkavarṇena haṃsayuktena bhāsvatā //

Translation

Then the Self-born, the Blessed Lord, came there in person—arriving in a brilliant aerial chariot, sun-hued in radiance and drawn by swans.

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• svayaṃbhūḥ: the Self-born (Brahmā/the self-manifest Lord)

• bhagavān: the Blessed Lord

• svayam: himself, in person

• āgamya: having come/arrived

• tatra: there

• ha: indeed (emphatic particle)

• vimānena: by/with an aerial chariot (vimāna)

• arka-varṇena: of sun-like color, sun-hued

• haṃsa-yuktena: yoked with swans, swan-drawn

• bhāsvatā: shining, radiant, resplendent

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice, reporting the event within the Matsya Purana’s account)

Entities Mentioned

• Svayaṃbhū (Brahmā/self-born Lord)
• Bhagavān
• Vimāna
• Haṃsa (swans)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Divine epiphany
• Vimana
• Iconography
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

It highlights divine intervention during cosmic crisis: the Self-born Lord appears personally, suggesting a pivotal moment in the larger pralaya-era narrative where higher beings actively guide restoration and order.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces the Purāṇic ethic of responsiveness to dharma: just as the Lord arrives “in person” to set things right, rulers and householders are urged to act decisively when order, protection, and right conduct are required.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse provides a classic Purāṇic motif for iconography and ritual visualization—divinity arriving in a radiant vimāna (aerial car). Such imagery informs temple/ritual contemplation themes (dhyāna) and vehicle symbolism, though no specific Vāstu rule is stated here.