Shloka 21

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

Devanagari script

रौद्रं तथोग्रं शूलं च कङ्कालं मुसलं तथा मोहनं शोषणं चैव संतापनविलापनम् //

Transliteration

raudraṃ tathograṃ śūlaṃ ca kaṅkālaṃ musalaṃ tathā mohanaṃ śoṣaṇaṃ caiva saṃtāpanavilāpanam //

Translation

‘Raudra’ and ‘Ugra’, ‘Śūla’, ‘Kaṅkāla’, and ‘Musala’; likewise ‘Mohana’ and ‘Śoṣaṇa’, as well as ‘Saṃtāpana’ and ‘Vilāpana’—these are (the named) mantras/astric forces to be employed.

Word by Word

• रौद्रम्: the Raudra (wrathful) mantra/weapon-force

• तथा: and also

• उग्रम्: the Ugra (fierce) mantra/weapon-force

• शूलम्: trident / spear-force

• च: and

• कङ्कालम्: ‘Kaṅkāla’ (skeleton-like/terrifying) named astra/mantra

• मुसलम्: club / pestle-force

• तथा: likewise

• मोहनम्: deluding/infatuating force (bewilderment mantra)

• शोषणम्: drying up/withering force (deprivation mantra)

• च एव: and indeed

• संतापन-विलापनम्: ‘Saṃtāpana’ (scorching/tormenting) and ‘Vilāpana’ (causing lamentation/dissolution) named forces

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (contextual attribution for this Vastu/ritual-technical catalog)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu

Tags

• Vastu Shastra
• Pratima Lakshana
• Mantra
• Astra-names
• Ritual procedure

FAQs

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

This verse is not a pralaya narrative; it lists named fierce forces/mantras (astric powers) used ritually—more about protection, subjugation, and removal of obstacles than cosmic dissolution.

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

In the Matsya Purana’s applied dharma, rulers and householders support correct rites for protection and public welfare; this catalog of mantras/astric names functions as a technical toolkit for safeguarding rituals and maintaining order against harmful forces.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

In Vastu/temple contexts, such named astras are invoked in consecration and protective rites (e.g., nyāsa, dik-bandhana, obstacle-removal), ensuring the sanctified space remains ritually secured.