Shloka 42

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

Devanagari script

गृहीतो राहुणा चन्द्र उल्काभिरभिहन्यते उल्काः प्रज्वलिताश्चन्द्रे विचरन्ति यथासुखम् //

Transliteration

gṛhīto rāhuṇā candra ulkābhirabhihanyate ulkāḥ prajvalitāścandre vicaranti yathāsukham //

Translation

When the Moon is seized by Rāhu, it is struck by blazing meteors; those fiery meteors then move about upon the Moon, roaming there as they please.

Word by Word

• gṛhītaḥ: seized, grasped

• rāhuṇā: by Rāhu

• candraḥ: the Moon

• ulkābhiḥ: by meteors/fireballs

• abhihanyate: is struck, is smitten

• ulkāḥ: meteors

• prajvalitāḥ: blazing, aflame

• candre: on/at the Moon

• vicaranti: move about, roam

• yathāsukham: at will, as they please

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within an omens/astral-signs section)

Entities Mentioned

• Rāhu
• Candra (Moon)
• Ulkā (meteor/fireball)

Tags

• Jyotisha
• Graha
• Rahu
• Chandra
• Utpata

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it presents an ominous celestial phenomenon—Rāhu’s seizure of the Moon with fiery meteors—as a sign-category used in Purāṇic omenology.

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

Such sky-portents are traditionally read as warnings for rulers: a king should respond with restraint, protective governance, and prescribed appeasement rites (śānti) rather than panic, treating eclipses/omens as prompts for ethical vigilance and public welfare.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architectural rules are not discussed here; the ritual takeaway is the implication of eclipse/omen “śānti” practices—propitiatory rites, charity, and mantra-based pacification commonly recommended when Rāhu-related lunar signs appear.