Shloka 42

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

Devanagari script

चित्राम्बरश्चोद्धृतकेशपाशः संदोल्यमानः शुशुभे ऽसुरीणाम् सुचारुवेशाभरणैरुपेतस् तारागणैर् ज्योतिरिवास चन्द्रः //

Transliteration

citrāmbaraścoddhṛtakeśapāśaḥ saṃdolyamānaḥ śuśubhe 'surīṇām sucāruveśābharaṇairupetas tārāgaṇair jyotirivāsa candraḥ //

Translation

Clad in variegated garments, with his locks lifted up and swaying, he shone amid the Asurīs—adorned with splendid attire and ornaments—like the moon, a luminous orb, amid a host of stars.

Word by Word

• चित्राम्बरः: wearing variegated/ornate garments

• च: and

• उद्धृत-केश-पाशः: with the mass/tresses of hair raised/lifted

• संदोल्यमानः: swaying, gently rocking (as in movement/dance)

• शुशुभे: shone, appeared splendid

• असुरीणाम्: among the Asurīs (demon-women)

• सु-चारु-वेश-आभरणैः: with very beautiful dress and ornaments

• उपेतः: endowed with, accompanied by

• तारा-गणैः: by hosts of stars

• ज्योतिः: a light, luminous orb

• इव: like

• आस: was

• चन्द्रः: the moon.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice describing the scene within the Matsya Purana’s account)

Entities Mentioned

• Asurīs
• Candra (Moon)
• Tārā-gaṇa (stars)

Tags

• Iconography
• Poetic Simile
• Asura Lore
• Ornaments
• Radiance

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it is an aesthetic, icon-like portrayal of radiant splendor, using the moon among stars as a metaphor for prominence and auspicious luminosity.

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

Indirectly, it reflects a Purāṇic ideal of śobha (dignified splendor): proper attire and ornaments symbolize status, order, and cultivated refinement—values echoed in royal etiquette and household observances of auspicious presentation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated, but the verse supports iconographic/ritual aesthetics: radiance, fine garments, and ornamentation are typical markers used when describing or visualizing auspicious figures in worship and artistic representation.