Shloka 47

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

Devanagari script

महिषस्य तु गोमायुः केतोर्हैमस्तदाभवत् ध्वाङ्क्षो ध्वजे तु शुम्भस्य कृष्णायोमयमुच्छ्रितम् //

Transliteration

mahiṣasya tu gomāyuḥ ketorhaimastadābhavat dhvāṅkṣo dhvaje tu śumbhasya kṛṣṇāyomayamucchritam //

Translation

For Mahisha, the emblem was the jackal; and Ketu’s standard was then made of gold. On Śumbha’s banner, however, a crow was raised aloft, fashioned of black iron.

Word by Word

• महिषस्य: of the buffalo

• तु: indeed/however

• गोमायुः: jackal

• केतोः: of Ketu

• हैमः: golden/made of gold

• तदा: then/at that time

• अभवत्: became/was

• ध्वाङ्क्षः: crow

• ध्वजे: on the banner/standard

• तु: however

• शुम्भस्य: of Śumbha

• कृष्ण-अयः-मयम्: made of black iron

• उच्छ्रितम्: raised aloft/erected

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, describing iconographic/dhvaja specifications and omens)

Entities Mentioned

• Mahisha (buffalo emblem)
• Ketu
• Shumbha
• Dhvaja (standard/banner)
• Gomayu (jackal)
• Dhvanksha (crow)

Tags

• Iconography
• Dhvaja-Lakshana
• Omens
• Pratima Lakshana
• Ritual Symbols

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on dhvaja-lakṣaṇa—how specific beings or figures are represented through banner emblems and materials.

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

In royal and public rituals, correct standards and insignia are part of auspicious statecraft: a king’s ceremonies, processions, and temple patronage require proper iconographic symbols, believed to influence public auspiciousness and omen-reading.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it specifies banner emblems and materials (gold, black iron) used for standards—details relevant to temple/ritual paraphernalia and iconographic compliance when installing flags or insignia in ceremonies.