Shloka 106

Matsya Purana — Narasimha’s Victory over Hiraṇyakaśipu and the Catalogue of Apocalyptic Omens

Devanagari script

नारसिंहं वपुर्देवः स्थापयित्वा सुदीप्तिमत् पौराणं रूपमास्थाय प्रययौ गरुडध्वजः //

Transliteration

nārasiṃhaṃ vapurdevaḥ sthāpayitvā sudīptimat paurāṇaṃ rūpamāsthāya prayayau garuḍadhvajaḥ //

Translation

Having established the radiant Narasiṃha form, the Lord—bearing Garuḍa as His banner—then assumed His ancient, primeval form and departed.

Word by Word

• नारसिंहम्: Narasiṃha (man-lion) form

• वपुः: body, form

• देवः: the Lord, the deity

• स्थापयित्वा: having established/installed

• सुदीप्तिमत्: exceedingly radiant, blazing with splendor

• पौराणम्: ancient, primeval, belonging to the Purāṇic (timeless) order

• रूपम्: form

• आस्थाय: having assumed, taking refuge in

• प्रययौ: went forth, departed

• गरुडध्वजः: He whose banner/emblem is Garuḍa (Viṣṇu).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for Matsya Purana discourse style)

Entities Mentioned

• Narasimha
• Vishnu (Garuḍadhvaja)
• Garuḍa

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Vaishnava Forms
• Ritual Installation
• Puranic Theology

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it emphasizes divine manifestation and withdrawal—how the Lord establishes a specific avatāra-form (Narasiṃha) and then returns to a primordial form, reflecting controlled divine appearance rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ethic of proper worship: rulers and householders are to establish (sthapana) the deity’s form with reverence and follow tradition, recognizing the Lord’s sovereignty beyond any single visible manifestation.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key ritual term is "sthapayitvā"—the formal establishing/installation of a deity form, a core idea behind temple consecration and icon placement in Matsya Purana-style pratima and temple practice.