Shloka 15

Matsya Purana — Mahāgaurī’s Entry

Devanagari script

सितसटापटलोद्धतकंधराभरमहामृगराजरथस्थिता विमलशक्तिमुखानलपिङ्गलायतभुजौघविपिष्टमहासुरा //

Transliteration

sitasaṭāpaṭaloddhatakaṃdharābharamahāmṛgarājarathasthitā vimalaśaktimukhānalapiṅgalāyatabhujaughavipiṣṭamahāsurā //

Translation

Mounted on the chariot of the great lion-king, its neck and shoulders uplifted by a canopy of white mane, she shines forth—her spotless spear blazing like fire at its point—while her tawny, long-reaching multitude of arms crushes the mighty asuras.

Word by Word

• sita-saṭā-paṭala: a mass/canopy of white mane

• uddhata: raised, uplifted

• kaṃdhara-ābhara: the burden/ornament upon the neck and shoulder region

• mahā-mṛga-rāja: the great king of beasts (lion)

• ratha-sthitā: standing/placed upon a chariot

• vimalā: spotless, pure, radiant

• śakti: spear, lance (divine weapon)

• mukha-anala: fire at the tip/forepart (lit. ‘mouth-fire’)

• piṅgala: tawny, reddish-brown, golden-brown

• āyata: long, extended

• bhuja-augha: a flood/multitude of arms

• vipiṣṭa: crushed, ground down

• mahā-asurāḥ: great demons/asuras

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in didactic narration to Vaivasvata Manu, describing iconographic characteristics)

Entities Mentioned

• Asuras
• Lion (Mṛgarāja)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Devi
• Weapons
• Battle imagery

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it is an iconographic and martial description of a divine (Goddess-like) form overpowering asuras, useful for understanding Purāṇic imagery rather than cosmological dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces the dharmic theme of protecting order: the deity’s crushing of asuras symbolizes the defeat of adharma—an ideal mirrored in a king’s duty to restrain violence and uphold righteousness in society.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse supplies pratīmā-lakṣaṇa (iconographic markers)—lion chariot/mount, multiple long arms, and the śakti (spear) with a fiery tip—details that guide temple image selection, depiction, and ritual visualization during installation and worship.