Shloka 87

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

Devanagari script

हेमपीतोत्तरासङ्गाश् चित्रवर्मरथायुधाः नाकपृष्ठशिखण्डास्तु वैडूर्यमकरध्वजाः //

Transliteration

hemapītottarāsaṅgāś citravarmarathāyudhāḥ nākapṛṣṭhaśikhaṇḍāstu vaiḍūryamakaradhvajāḥ //

Translation

They wore upper garments of golden-yellow hue and were furnished with ornate armor, chariots, and weapons. Their crests were like the summit of heaven, and their banners bore the emblem of the makara fashioned of vaidūrya (cat’s-eye gem).

Word by Word

• हेमपीत (hemapīta): golden-yellow

• उत्तरासङ्गाः (uttarāsaṅgāḥ): upper garments/upper wraps

• चित्र (citra): variegated, ornate

• वर्म (varma): armor

• रथ (ratha): chariot

• आयुधाः (āyudhāḥ): weapons/arms

• नाक (nāka): heaven

• पृष्ठ (pṛṣṭha): back, upper surface, summit

• शिखण्डाः (śikhaṇḍāḥ): crests, plume-ornaments, head-crests

• तु (tu): and/indeed

• वैडूर्य (vaiḍūrya): vaidūrya gem (cat’s-eye)

• मकर (makara): mythic sea-creature emblem

• ध्वजाः (dhvajāḥ): banners/standards

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) reporting the description within Matsya Purana’s iconography/celestial retinue context

Entities Mentioned

• Makara
• Vaidurya (cat’s-eye gem)
• Heaven (Naka)

Tags

• Iconography
• Celestial warriors
• Banners
• Armor
• Divine insignia

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya; it focuses on iconographic and celestial-martial description—garments, armor, crests, and banners—used to convey divine splendor and auspicious symbolism.

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

Indirectly, it models royal and ritual ideals of śrī (splendor) and order: proper insignia (dhvaja), disciplined armament, and auspicious display—values echoed in kingship (rājadharma) and ceremonial conduct.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The mention of dhvaja (banners/standards) and auspicious emblems like the makara aligns with temple and festival practice where prescribed flags, symbols, and ornamentation are installed for sanctity and auspiciousness.