Shloka 46

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

Devanagari script

पैशाचं यस्य वदनं जम्भस्यासीदयोमयम् खरविधूतलाङ्गूलं कुजम्भस्याभवद्ध्वजे //

Transliteration

paiśācaṃ yasya vadanaṃ jambhasyāsīdayomayam kharavidhūtalāṅgūlaṃ kujambhasyābhavaddhvaje //

Translation

For Jambha, the banner bore a piśāca-like (ghoulish) face, fashioned of iron; for Kujambha, upon his standard there appeared a tail shaken like that of a donkey.

Word by Word

• paiśācam: piśāca-like, ghoulish

• yasya: whose

• vadanam: face, visage

• jambhasya: of Jambha

• āsīt: was

• ayomayam: made of iron

• khara: donkey

• vidhūta: shaken, whisked, brandished

• lāṅgūlam: tail

• kujambhasya: of Kujambha

• abhavat: became/appeared

• dhvaje: on the banner/standard

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) relaying the Matsya Purāṇa’s description (iconographic catalogue style)

Entities Mentioned

• Jambha
• Kujambha
• Piśāca
• Dhvaja (banner/standard)

Tags

• Iconography
• Dhvaja-Lakshana
• Ritual symbols
• Puranic imagery
• Pratima rules

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it is an iconographic note describing identifying emblems on banners (dhvajas), used to distinguish figures such as Jambha and Kujambha.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma through correct public and ritual symbolism: kings and householders sponsoring rites or temples were expected to follow prescribed iconographic markers so that worship, narration, and representation remained orderly and tradition-consistent.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It specifies dhvaja-emblems (banner identifiers). In temple/ritual settings, such standards function as visual markers in processions and consecrations, aligning representation with Pratima-Lakshana conventions.