Shloka 92

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

Devanagari script

ऊर्ध्वगो भीमवेगश्च सर्व एवाभिकम्पिताः गदी शूली करालश्च हिरण्यकशिपुस्तदा //

Transliteration

ūrdhvago bhīmavegaśca sarva evābhikampitāḥ gadī śūlī karālaśca hiraṇyakaśipustadā //

Translation

Then Hiraṇyakaśipu—rushing upward with terrifying force—made them all tremble: the mace-bearer, the trident-bearer, and even the fierce (warriors).

Word by Word

• ūrdhvagaḥ: moving upward / rising aloft

• bhīmavegaḥ: of dreadful speed, with terrifying momentum

• ca: and

• sarve: all

• eva: indeed

• abhikampitāḥ: shaken, made to tremble

• gadī: the mace-bearer

• śūlī: the trident-bearer

• karālaḥ: the fierce/terrible one

• ca: and

• hiraṇyakaśipuḥ: Hiraṇyakaśipu

• tadā: then, at that time

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) reporting the episode to the sages (frame narration typical of Purāṇas)

Entities Mentioned

• Hiraṇyakaśipu

Tags

• Avatara
• Battle
• Daitya
• Purāṇic narrative
• Heroic description

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it portrays battlefield upheaval—an immediate, physical “trembling” caused by Hiraṇyakaśipu’s violent ascent and force.

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

Indirectly, it highlights the Purāṇic theme that unchecked power and terror (daityic arrogance) destabilize society—an implied warning that rulers must uphold dharma rather than rule through fear.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; the technical focus here is martial iconography (identifying figures by weapons like gadā and śūla).