Shloka 7

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

Devanagari script

महेश्वररथं ह्येकं सर्वप्राणेन भीषणम् विमुखीकुरुतात्यर्थं यथा नोत्सृजते शरम् //

Transliteration

maheśvararathaṃ hyekaṃ sarvaprāṇena bhīṣaṇam vimukhīkurutātyarthaṃ yathā notsṛjate śaram //

Translation

With all one’s strength, one should forcefully turn aside that single, terrifying chariot of Maheśvara, so that it does not release its arrow.

Word by Word

• महेश्वर-रथम् (maheśvara-ratham): Maheśvara’s chariot

• हि (hi): indeed/for

• एकम् (ekam): one/single

• सर्व-प्राणेन (sarva-prāṇena): with all one’s vital force, with full strength

• भीषणम् (bhīṣaṇam): dreadful, fearsome

• विमुखी-कुरुत (vimukhī-kuruta): turn away, make face away, divert

• अत्यर्थम् (atyartham): exceedingly, forcefully

• यथा (yathā): so that/in such a way that

• न (na): not

• उत्सृजते (otsṛjate): releases, lets fly

• शरम् (śaram): an arrow

Speaker

• Likely Lord Matsya (teaching voice of the Purana) narrating prescriptive/technical guidance within the chapter’s instructional flow

Entities Mentioned

• Maheśvara (Śiva)

Tags

• Pratima-Lakshana
• Iconography
• Ritual-Procedure
• Protective-Rites
• Mythic-Martial-Imagery

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it uses urgent, protective imagery—diverting a fearsome divine chariot—to emphasize averting catastrophe rather than narrating cosmic dissolution.

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

It frames dharma as active protection: a ruler or responsible householder must act decisively to prevent harm—symbolized by stopping an impending ‘arrow’—through strength, vigilance, and timely intervention.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

While not naming a specific building rule, the verse fits the Vastu–Pratima instructional tone where protective measures (diversion/averting inauspicious forces) are central—useful for interpreting temple-protection rites and iconographic scenes meant to ward off danger.