Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — Maya’s War-Counsel to the Danavas and the Moonlit Revels in Tripura

Devanagari script

विष्णोर्यथा च विस्तीर्णे हारश्चोरसि संस्थितः तथावगाढे नभसि चन्द्रो ऽत्रिनयनोद्भवः भ्राजते भ्राजयंल् लोकान् सृजञ्ज्योत्स्नारसं बलात् //

Transliteration

viṣṇoryathā ca vistīrṇe hāraścorasi saṃsthitaḥ tathāvagāḍhe nabhasi candro 'trinayanodbhavaḥ bhrājate bhrājayaṃl lokān sṛjañjyotsnārasaṃ balāt //

Translation

Just as a necklace rests upon the broad chest of Viṣṇu, so too the Moon—born from Atri’s eye—shines set deep in the sky, illuminating the worlds as it forcefully pours forth the nectar-like essence of moonlight.

Word by Word

• viṣṇoḥ: of Viṣṇu

• yathā: just as

• ca: and

• vistīrṇe: broad, expansive

• hāraḥ: necklace, garland

• urasi (corasi): on the chest

• saṃsthitaḥ: situated, resting

• tathā: so, likewise

• avagāḍhe: sunk deep, set within

• nabhasi: in the sky

• candraḥ: the Moon

• atri-nayana-udbhavaḥ: born from Atri’s eye (a Purāṇic epithet)

• bhrājate: shines

• bhrājayan: illuminating

• lokān: the worlds

• sṛjan: producing, emitting

• jyotsnā-rasaṃ: the essence/nectar of moonlight

• balāt: with force, powerfully

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu in descriptive/auspicious sacred imagery)

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu
• Chandra (Moon)
• Atri

Tags

• Iconography
• Sacred Simile
• Auspiciousness
• Cosmic Radiance
• Pratima Lakshana

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; instead, it uses a cosmic image (the Moon’s origin and radiance) to convey auspicious brilliance that supports and “brightens” the worlds.

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

By analogy, it suggests the ideal ruler/householder should be “well-situated” in dharma like an ornament on Viṣṇu’s chest—steadfast, visible, and beneficial—spreading cooling, nourishing influence like moonlight for social harmony.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse supports the iconographic-aesthetic principle that sacred forms and spaces should embody auspicious radiance (tejas/śobhā); in temple and image description, brilliance and well-placed ornamentation symbolize divine presence and world-benefit.