Shloka 97

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

Devanagari script

यत्त्वया विहितं देव नारसिंहमिदं वपुः एतदेवार्चयिष्यन्ति परावरविदो जनाः //

Transliteration

yattvayā vihitaṃ deva nārasiṃhamidaṃ vapuḥ etadevārcayiṣyanti parāvaravido janāḥ //

Translation

O Lord, this Narasiṃha-form that has been ordained by you—this very form will be worshipped by people who understand the higher and the lower (i.e., the supreme and the worldly realities).

Word by Word

• yat: which/that

• tvayā: by you

• vihitam: prescribed/ordained/laid down

• deva: O God/O Lord

• nārasiṃham: belonging to Narasiṃha / the Narasiṃha aspect

• idam: this

• vapuḥ: form/body/manifest shape

• etat eva: this indeed/this very one

• arcayiṣyanti: they will worship/perform arcana to

• parāvara-vidaḥ: knowers of para and avara (the higher and the lower

• janāḥ: people/persons

Speaker

• Likely a devotee/recipient addressing the Deity (within the Matsya Purana’s iconography/arcana instruction flow; commonly framed in dialogue ultimately narrated by Lord Matsya to Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Narasimha

Tags

• Iconography
• Arcana
• Narasimha
• Pratima Lakshana
• Temple Ritual

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it emphasizes prescribed divine form (vapuḥ) and its worship, pointing to enduring devotional practice rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

It supports the dharma of regular worship (arcana) of an authorized deity-form; for kings and householders, this implies maintaining proper public/private worship according to scriptural prescription.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it underscores that the Narasiṃha image/form is to be worshipped as specifically ‘vihita’ (scripturally ordained), aligning with Pratima-Lakshana norms used for correct installation and temple/household arcana.