Shloka 2

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

Devanagari script

बालसूर्यमुखाश्चान्ये धूमकेतुमुखास्तथा अर्धचन्द्रार्धवक्त्राश्च अग्निदीप्तमुखास्तथा //

Transliteration

bālasūryamukhāścānye dhūmaketumukhāstathā ardhacandrārdhavaktrāśca agnidīptamukhāstathā //

Translation

Others are described with faces like the rising (young) sun; others with faces like a comet; others with half-moon, half-formed faces; and others with faces blazing like fire.

Word by Word

• bāla-sūrya-mukhāḥ: having faces like the young/rising sun

• ca: and

• anye: others

• dhūma-ketu-mukhāḥ: having comet-like faces

• tathā: likewise/also

• ardha-candra-ardha-vaktrāḥ: having faces that are half-moon and half-face (partly crescent-shaped)

• ca: and

• agni-dīpta-mukhāḥ: having faces shining/blazing like fire

• tathā: likewise/also

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s discourse; iconographic/omen description tradition)

Entities Mentioned

• Agni
• Sūrya
• Dhūmaketu

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Omens
• Celestial imagery
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse does not directly describe Pralaya; it uses cosmic lights (sun, comet, fire, moon) as symbolic markers to classify extraordinary or ominous-looking forms, a style often used in Purāṇic descriptions rather than a dissolution narrative.

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

Indirectly, such descriptions function as diagnostic signs: rulers and householders were expected to heed unusual celestial/fiery portents and consult learned authorities for proper rites and governance decisions, aligning action with dharma when abnormal signs appear.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse supports iconographic/ritual classification—describing face-types used in identifying or portraying beings in sacred art; in temple practice this informs how certain fierce or luminous aspects may be visually represented and ritually contextualized.