Shloka 15

Matsya Purana — The Advent of Narasiṃha and Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Weapon-Assault

Devanagari script

मृगेन्द्रो गृह्यतामेष अपूर्वां तनुमास्थितः यदि वा संशयः कश्चिद् वध्यतां वनगोचरः //

Transliteration

mṛgendro gṛhyatāmeṣa apūrvāṃ tanumāsthitaḥ yadi vā saṃśayaḥ kaścid vadhyatāṃ vanagocaraḥ //

Translation

“Let this lord of beasts be seized—he has assumed an unprecedented form. And if there is any doubt at all, then let this forest-roaming creature be slain.”

Word by Word

• मृगेन्द्रः: lord of beasts (lion/tiger)

• गृह्यताम्: let (him/it) be seized/captured

• एषः: this (one)

• अपूर्वाम्: unprecedented, never-before-seen

• तनुम्: body, form

• आस्थितः: having assumed, having taken

• यदि वा: or if

• संशयः: doubt, suspicion

• कश्चित्: any, whatsoever

• वध्यताम्: let (him/it) be killed/slain

• वनगोचरः: forest-roamer, one who moves in the woods (wild animal).

Speaker

• Unspecified royal/commanding voice within the narrative (likely a king or his officer addressing attendants/hunters)

Tags

• Royal Command
• Hunt Narrative
• Dharma vs Violence
• Suspicion
• Forest Creature

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it belongs to a narrative moment of identifying and dealing with a mysterious forest creature, emphasizing uncertainty and immediate action.

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

It reflects a ruler’s crisis-response language—capture first, and if suspicion remains, authorize killing—raising a classic dharma tension: proportionate force and careful judgment versus fear-driven violence.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its significance is narrative and ethical, focusing on command, doubt, and the treatment of a wild being.