Shloka 28

Matsya Purana — Lineage of Yayāti through Yadu and the Deeds of Kārtavīrya Arjuna

Devanagari script

यो ऽसौ बाहुसहस्रेण ज्याघातकठिनत्वचा भाति रश्मिसहस्रेण शारदेनेव भास्करः //

Transliteration

yo 'sau bāhusahasreṇa jyāghātakaṭhinatvacā bhāti raśmisahasreṇa śāradeneva bhāskaraḥ //

Translation

He—resplendent with a thousand arms, his skin hardened by the repeated impact of the bowstring—shines with a thousand rays, like the sun in the clear autumn season.

Word by Word

• yaḥ: who

• asau: that (renowned one)

• bāhu-sahasreṇa: with a thousand arms

• jyā-ghāta: the удар/impact of the bowstring

• kaṭhina: hardened, toughened

• tvacā: with (his) skin

• bhāti: shines, appears radiant

• raśmi-sahasreṇa: with a thousand rays

• śāradena: autumnal, of the autumn season

• iva: like

• bhāskaraḥ: the sun

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) describing a divine/heroic form within the narrative to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution typical of Matsya Purana dialogues)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhāskara (Sun)

Tags

• Iconography
• Divine Radiance
• Warrior Imagery
• Bow
• Simile

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it emphasizes divine splendor and martial power through the imagery of countless arms and sun-like radiance.

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

By portraying disciplined martial readiness (skin toughened by the bowstring), it supports the Purāṇic ideal of kṣātra-dharma—steadfast protection, training, and luminous authority grounded in effort and restraint.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key ritual-aesthetic cue is "autumn sun" radiance—useful for iconographic and temple-context interpretation: the deity’s form is envisioned as intensely luminous, suggesting emphasis on proper illumination and visual prominence of the image in worship settings.