Shloka 19

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

Devanagari script

सर्वास्त्राणामथ ज्येष्ठं दण्डमन्त्रं सुदारुणम् कालचक्रं तथाघोरं विष्णुचक्रं तथा परम् //

Transliteration

sarvāstrāṇāmatha jyeṣṭhaṃ daṇḍamantraṃ sudāruṇam kālacakraṃ tathāghoraṃ viṣṇucakraṃ tathā param //

Translation

Then (is named) the foremost among all weapons—the dreadfully fierce Daṇḍa-mantra; also the terrible Wheel of Time (Kāla-cakra), and, supreme above all, the Wheel of Viṣṇu.

Word by Word

सर्व-अस्त्राणाम्of all weapons/mantras-as-weapons

अथthen/now

ज्येष्ठम्the eldest, foremost

दण्ड-मन्त्रम्the Daṇḍa-mantra (punitive/rod-like weapon-mantra)

सु-दारुणम्exceedingly terrible, very fierce

काल-चक्रम्the Wheel of Time

तथाand also

घोरम्terrifying, dreadful

विष्णु-चक्रम्Viṣṇu’s discus/wheel (Sudarśana as divine chakra)

तथाand also

परम्supreme, highest

Speaker

Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

Daṇḍa-mantraKāla-cakraViṣṇu-cakra (Sudarśana)

FAQs

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

By invoking Kāla-cakra, the verse points to Time as an overpowering cosmic force that governs dissolution and transformation; Viṣṇu’s chakra is presented as the supreme divine power that transcends and controls even time-bound terror.

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

It frames protection as a dharmic duty: rulers and householders are to uphold order through righteous restraint (daṇḍa) and spiritual safeguards, recognizing that ultimate protection is aligned with Viṣṇu’s cosmic authority rather than mere human force.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, it functions as a naming/recitation of potent astras used for rakṣā (protective rites); such invocations commonly accompany consecrations, boundary-protections, and temple or household protective procedures in Purāṇic practice.