Shloka 25

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

Devanagari script

गान्धर्वमस्त्रं दयितम् असिरत्नं च नन्दकम् प्रस्वापनं प्रमथनं वारुणं चास्त्रमुत्तमम् अस्त्रं पाशुपतं चैव यस्याप्रतिहता गतिः //

Transliteration

gāndharvamastraṃ dayitam asiratnaṃ ca nandakam prasvāpanaṃ pramathanaṃ vāruṇaṃ cāstramuttamam astraṃ pāśupataṃ caiva yasyāpratihatā gatiḥ //

Translation

Beloved to him was the Gāndharva missile; he also possessed the jewel-like sword Nandaka—along with the sleep-inducing weapon, the crushing (Pramathana) weapon, and the excellent Vāruṇa weapon. He further held the Pāśupata weapon, whose course is unstoppable.

Word by Word

• gāndharvam astram: the Gāndharva weapon/missile

• dayitam: beloved, cherished

• asi-ratnam: jewel-like sword, precious blade

• nandakam: Nandaka (the famed sword)

• prasvāpanam: sleep-causing weapon

• pramathanam: crushing/subduing weapon

• vāruṇam astram: Varuṇa’s water-weapon

• uttamam: supreme, excellent

• pāśupatam astram: Pāśupata weapon (of Śiva)

• caiva: and indeed

• yasya: whose

• apratihatā: unobstructed, unimpeded

• gatiḥ: course, movement, trajectory

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the possessor of these astras within the lineage narrative

Entities Mentioned

• Nandaka
• Gāndharva Astra
• Vāruṇa Astra
• Pāśupata Astra
• Varuṇa
• Paśupati (Śiva)

Tags

• Astras
• DivineWeapons
• ItihasaStyle
• RoyalLineage
• PuranicWarfare

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a heroic catalogue of astras (divine weapons), emphasizing irresistible force and invincibility rather than cosmology.

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

In the royal-ethics backdrop of Purāṇic narratives, such weapon-lists underscore a king’s kṣātra role: protection of subjects and maintenance of order, where mastery over astras symbolizes disciplined power rather than personal aggression.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-rule is stated here; the closest ritual implication is that “astra” usage traditionally presumes mantra-authorization and controlled deployment, reflecting dharmic restraint in sacred technologies.