Shloka 28

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

Devanagari script

परिवव्रुर्गुणाकीर्णा निश्छिद्राः सर्व एव हि कालागुरुविलिप्ताङ्गं महामुकुटभूषणम् //

Transliteration

parivavrurguṇākīrṇā niśchidrāḥ sarva eva hi kālāguruviliptāṅgaṃ mahāmukuṭabhūṣaṇam //

Translation

Indeed, all of them were completely covered—filled with auspicious qualities and entirely without any flaw—having bodies anointed with black aloe (kālāguru) and adorned with the ornament of a great crown.

Word by Word

• परिवव्रुः: they covered/surrounded completely

• गुणाकीर्णाः: filled with virtues/auspicious marks

• निश्छिद्राः: without holes, defects, or blemishes

• सर्वे: all

• एव: indeed

• हि: surely

• कालागुरु: black aloewood (a fragrant unguent)

• विलिप्ताङ्गम्: whose limbs/body are smeared/anointed

• महा-मुकुट-भूषणम्: the great-crown ornament/adornment

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (teaching iconographic standards to Vaivasvata Manu)

Entities Mentioned

• Kālāguru
• Mahā-mukuṭa (great crown)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Temple Art
• Auspicious Marks
• Vastu Shastra

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on auspicious, flawless features and adornment standards typical of iconography and ritual aesthetics.

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

By prescribing “blemish-free” and auspicious standards, it supports a king’s duty to patronize correct temple-making and public worship, and a householder’s duty to maintain purity, fragrance, and proper ornamentation in devotional rites.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It implies pratima/temple-image finishing norms: the form should be defect-free (niśchidra) and ritually beautified—anointed with fragrant substances like kālāguru and fitted with prescribed royal ornaments such as a great crown.