Shloka 100

Matsya Purana — Tārakāsura’s Austerity and Boon; Mobilization for War; Bṛhaspati’s Fourfold P...

Devanagari script

हिमाचलाभे सितकर्णचामरे सुवर्णपद्मामलसुन्दरस्रजि कृताभिरागोज्ज्वलकुङ्कुमाङ्कुरे कपोललीलालिकदम्बसंकुले //

Transliteration

himācalābhe sitakarṇacāmare suvarṇapadmāmalasundarasraji kṛtābhirāgojjvalakuṅkumāṅkure kapolalīlālikadambasaṃkule //

Translation

White as the Himalayan peak, fanned with bright yak-tail whisks; adorned with a pure and lovely garland of golden lotuses; with cheeks marked by the radiant shoots of kuṅkuma (saffron), made vivid by loving embellishment—(the face) thronged with clusters of bees playfully lingering upon the cheeks.

Word by Word

• himācalābhe: having the lustre/whiteness of the Himalaya

• sita: white/bright

• karṇa-cāmare: with ear-side fly-whisks (cāmara) / fanned by cāmaras near the ears

• suvarṇa: golden

• padma: lotus

• amala: pure/spotless

• sundara: beautiful

• sraji: in a garland/with a garland

• kṛta-abhirāga: made vivid by affection/adorning passion

• ujjvala: shining, radiant

• kuṅkuma: saffron/vermilion

• aṅkure: with sprouts/shoots (figuratively: fresh marks)

• kapola: cheek

• līlā: playful grace

• alika: bee

• kadamba: cluster/mass

• saṃkule: crowded/thronged

Speaker

• Suta (narrative voice) describing a divine/iconographic form within the Matsya Purana’s iconography context

Entities Mentioned

• Himacala (Himalaya)
• Cāmara (yak-tail whisk)
• Padma (lotus)
• Kuṅkuma (saffron)
• Alika (bee)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Divine Ornamentation
• Temple Art
• Aesthetics

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it is an iconographic-aesthetic description focused on divine complexion, adornment, and auspicious beauty.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic culture by modeling reverent worship: kings and householders are encouraged to honor the deity through proper adornment, cleanliness, and aesthetically correct offerings in pūjā and temple service.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It supplies pratima-lakṣaṇa style cues used in temple art and ritual: cāmara service (royal/ritual fanning), golden-lotus garlands, and kuṅkuma marks are standard elements for depicting and adorning a deity in consecrated worship.