Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

तदश्मवर्षं सिंहस्य महन्मूर्धनि पातितम् दिशो दश विकीर्णा वै खद्योतप्रकरा इव //

Transliteration

tadaśmavarṣaṃ siṃhasya mahanmūrdhani pātitam diśo daśa vikīrṇā vai khadyotaprakarā iva //

Translation

That hail of stones was hurled down upon the lion’s great head; and it scattered in all ten directions, like a swarm of fireflies.

Word by Word

• tad: that

• aśma-varṣam: a rain/hail of stones

• siṃhasya: of the lion

• mahat-mūrdhani: upon the great head

• pātitam: caused to fall / hurled down

• diśaḥ daśa: the ten directions

• vikīrṇā: scattered, dispersed

• vai: indeed

• khadyota-prakarāḥ: clusters/swarms of fireflies

• iva: like

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) recounting the episode within the Matsya Purana’s narrative frame

Entities Mentioned

• Siṃha (lion)

Tags

• Combat
• Simile
• Mythic narrative
• Asura-vadha
• Marvels

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it uses cosmic language (“ten directions”) to intensify a battle scene, portraying the stone-hail dispersing through the full spatial order of the world.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purana’s ideal of protecting order (dharma) by depicting decisive force against violent threats—an image often aligned with the king’s duty to restrain aggression and secure safety in the realm.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is stated; the only technical motif is “ten directions,” a concept later important in Vastu and temple orientation, here used poetically to indicate complete dispersal.