Shloka 56

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

Devanagari script

प्रचण्डचित्रकर्माणः कुण्डलोष्णीषभूषणाः नानाविधोत्तरासङ्गा नानामाल्यविभूषणाः //

Transliteration

pracaṇḍacitrakarmāṇaḥ kuṇḍaloṣṇīṣabhūṣaṇāḥ nānāvidhottarāsaṅgā nānāmālyavibhūṣaṇāḥ //

Translation

They were adorned with bold and intricate decorative workmanship, ornamented with earrings and turbans (uṣṇīṣa), wearing many kinds of upper garments and sashes, and embellished with garlands of various sorts.

Word by Word

• प्रचण्ड (pracaṇḍa): bold, intense, striking

• चित्रकर्माणः (citrakarmāṇaḥ): possessing decorative/artistic workmanship, elaborately ornamented

• कुण्डल (kuṇḍala): earring

• उष्णीष (uṣṇīṣa): turban, head-wrap/crown-like headdress

• भूषणाः (bhūṣaṇāḥ): adorned, ornamented

• नाना (nānā): various, many

• विध (vidha): kinds, types

• उत्तरासङ्गाः (uttarāsaṅgāḥ): upper garment, cloak, sash worn over/around the body

• नाना-माल्य (nānā-mālya): many kinds of garlands/wreaths

• विभूषणाः (vibhūṣaṇāḥ): richly decorated, embellished

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (likely context of iconographic/ritual guidance)

Tags

• Iconography
• Temple-Architecture
• Pratima-Lakshana
• Ornaments
• Vastu Shastra

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on iconographic ornamentation—how figures are to be depicted as richly decorated with crafted details, garments, and garlands.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic duties by prescribing proper standards for worship and patronage: a king or householder who commissions images/temples should ensure correct adornment and decorum in accordance with śāstric description.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It functions as a Pratima-Lakshana guideline: in temple sculpture and ritual presentation, figures (deities/attendants) are to be shown with specific ornaments—earrings, uṣṇīṣa (turban/headdress), upper garments, and varied garlands—signaling auspiciousness and completeness of icon decoration.