Shloka 80

Matsya Purana — Hiranyakashipu’s Boons

Devanagari script

घटोदरो महापार्श्वः क्रथनः पिठरस्तथा विश्वरूपः सुरूपश्च स्वबलश्च महाबलः //

Transliteration

ghaṭodaro mahāpārśvaḥ krathanaḥ piṭharastathā viśvarūpaḥ surūpaśca svabalaśca mahābalaḥ //

Translation

“(He is) Ghaṭodara (the One with a pot-like, capacious belly), Mahāpārśva (of mighty flanks), Krathana (the Crusher), and Piṭhara (the Broad/Expansive); (He is) Viśvarūpa (whose form is the universe), Surūpa (of beautiful form), Svabala (self-powered), and Mahābala (of great strength).”

Word by Word

• घटोदरः (ghaṭodaraḥ): one whose belly is like a pot, capacious/abundant

• महापार्श्वः (mahāpārśvaḥ): one with great sides/flanks, mighty-bodied

• क्रथनः (krathanaḥ): crusher, one who grinds down (evil/obstacles)

• पिठरः (piṭharaḥ): broad, expansive, wide-spread

• विश्वरूपः (viśvarūpaḥ): universal-formed, whose form contains all

• सुरूपः (surūpaḥ): beautiful-formed, well-shaped

• स्वबलः (svabalaḥ): possessing strength of oneself, self-sustained power

• महाबलः (mahābalaḥ): very powerful, of immense strength

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating a traditional list of divine epithets within the Matsya Purana’s discourse)

Entities Mentioned

• Viṣṇu (implied through epithets)
• Viśvarūpa (universal form)

Tags

• Iconography
• Divine Names
• Stotra
• Vishnu
• Pratima Lakshana

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it presents the deity as Viśvarūpa—whose body encompasses the whole cosmos—implying sovereignty over cosmic manifestation and withdrawal, even though Pralaya is not explicitly described here.

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

By emphasizing the Lord’s self-sustained power (svabala) and supreme strength (mahābala), the verse supports a dharmic ideal: rulers and householders should cultivate steadiness, protection of others, and the capacity to overcome harm—mirroring divine guardianship.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

As a set of epithets used in praise/identification, it can guide ritual recitation (nāma-japa, stotra) and iconographic contemplation—especially the idea of Viśvarūpa (cosmic form) when selecting themes for temple imagery or mural programs.