Shloka 17

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

Devanagari script

सिंहनादं विमुच्याथ नरसिंहो महाबलः बभञ्ज तां सभां दिव्यां व्यादितास्य इवान्तकः //

Transliteration

siṃhanādaṃ vimucyātha narasiṃho mahābalaḥ babhañja tāṃ sabhāṃ divyāṃ vyāditāsya ivāntakaḥ //

Translation

Then the mighty Narasiṃha, releasing a lion-like roar, shattered that wondrous assembly hall—like Death (Antaka) with jaws gaping wide.

Word by Word

• siṃhanādam: a lion-roar

• vimucya: having released/uttered

• atha: then

• narasiṃhaḥ: Narasiṃha (the Man-Lion form of Viṣṇu)

• mahābalaḥ: of great strength

• babhañja: broke, smashed, shattered

• tām: that

• sabhām: assembly hall/court

• divyām: divine, splendid, wondrous

• vyādita-āsyaḥ: with mouth/jaws opened wide

• iva: like/as if

• antakaḥ: Antaka, Death (Yama/the ender).

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) / narrative voice describing Narasiṃha’s act

Entities Mentioned

• Narasiṃha
• Antaka (Death/Yama)

Tags

• Narasimha
• Avatara
• Dharma
• Divine Wrath
• Purāṇic Narrative

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic pralaya; it depicts a localized act of divine destruction—Narasiṃha crushing an arrogant, “divine” court—symbolizing the end (antaka) of adharma rather than world-dissolution.

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

By portraying Narasiṃha as the force that ends tyranny, the verse supports the Matsya Purāṇa’s ethical theme: rulers and householders must uphold dharma, restrain violence through justice, and dismantle assemblies that institutionalize oppression and impiety.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Architecturally, “sabhā” points to the royal/elite assembly hall (a key civic structure). The verse’s focus is not on Vāstu rules, but it implicitly warns that even splendid architecture (divyā sabhā) is impermanent when used to support adharma.