Shloka 88

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

Devanagari script

जपारक्तोत्तरासङ्गा राक्षसा रक्तमूर्धजाः गृध्रध्वजा महावीर्या निर्मलायोविभूषणाः //

Transliteration

japāraktottarāsaṅgā rākṣasā raktamūrdhajāḥ gṛdhradhvajā mahāvīryā nirmalāyovibhūṣaṇāḥ //

Translation

The Rākṣasas are clad in upper garments dyed the red of the japa flower (hibiscus); their hair is red. Their banners bear the emblem of the gṛdhra (vulture). They are of great valor, adorned with spotless ornaments of iron.

Word by Word

• japā-rakta: hibiscus-red

• uttara-āsaṅga: upper garment/upper wrap

• rākṣasāḥ: rākṣasas (fierce attendant beings/demonic guardians)

• rakta-mūrdhajāḥ: having red hair

• gṛdhra-dhvajāḥ: whose banner/standard bears a vulture (gṛdhra) emblem

• mahā-vīryāḥ: of great strength/valor

• nirmala: spotless/pure/bright

• āyovibhūṣaṇāḥ (āyas-vibhūṣaṇāḥ): adorned with iron ornaments

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu on iconographic/ritual descriptions

Entities Mentioned

• Rākṣasas
• Gṛdhra (vulture emblem)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Temple ritual
• Guardian beings
• Matsya Purana

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it belongs to an iconographic description, detailing the appearance and insignia of Rākṣasa-type attendant figures used in ritual/temple contexts.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic patronage: kings and householders who commission temples or images are expected to follow prescribed iconographic standards—such as attire, emblems, and ornaments of attendant beings—so worship is performed in a textually authorized manner.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It provides pratima-lakṣaṇa (iconographic markers) for identifying/depicting Rākṣasa attendants—red garments, red hair, vulture-emblem banners, and iron ornaments—guiding sculptors and ritual planners in temple-image programs.