Shloka 11

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

Devanagari script

तानि चक्राणि वदने विशमानानि भान्ति वै मेघोदरदरीष्वेव चन्द्रसूर्यग्रहा इव //

Transliteration

tāni cakrāṇi vadane viśamānāni bhānti vai meghodaradarīṣveva candrasūryagrahā iva //

Translation

Those discus-emblems, set upon the face, indeed shine forth—like the moon, the sun, and the planets appearing within the clefts of cloud-filled ravines.

Word by Word

• तानि (tāni): those

• चक्राणि (cakrāṇi): discs/discus-marks (cakra-emblems)

• वदने (vadane): on the face/in the countenance

• विशमानानि (viśamānāni): entering into/being placed upon, set within

• भान्ति (bhānti): shine, appear splendid

• वै (vai): indeed

• मेघ-उदर-दरीषु (meghodara-darīṣu): in clefts/channels like ravines whose interiors are cloud-filled

• एव (eva): just like

• चन्द्र-सूर्य-ग्रहाः (candra-sūrya-grahāḥ): the moon, the sun, and the planets

• इव (iva): as if/like.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) to Vaivasvata Manu (context: iconographic description within the Matsya Purana’s teachings)

Entities Mentioned

• Cakra (discus emblem)
• Candra (Moon)
• Surya (Sun)
• Graha (planets)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Divine Marks
• Temple Art
• Vastu Shastra

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it uses a cosmic simile (moon, sun, planets amid clouds) to convey how brilliantly the cakra-emblems appear on the deity’s face.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic practice through correct worship: kings and householders are encouraged to commission and venerate properly marked divine images, strengthening public piety and auspicious order.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It belongs to pratima-lakṣaṇa (idol-specification): the placement and visual effect of sacred emblems (cakra-marks) are described so sculptors and ritualists can identify and install an image with correct auspicious features.