Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

अस्त्रं हयशिरश्चैव ब्राह्ममस्त्रं तथैव च नारायणास्त्रमैन्द्रं च सार्पमस्त्रं तथाद्भुतम् //

Transliteration

astraṃ hayaśiraścaiva brāhmamastraṃ tathaiva ca nārāyaṇāstramaindraṃ ca sārpamastraṃ tathādbhutam //

Translation

Also (there are) the Hayashiras weapon, the Brahmā-weapon, the Nārāyaṇa weapon, the Indra-weapon, and likewise the Serpent weapon—truly wondrous.

Word by Word

• astram: a divine weapon (astra)

• hayaśiraḥ: Hayashiras (Horse-headed form/name)

• ca eva: and indeed/also

• brāhmam astram: Brahmā’s weapon (brahmāstra)

• tathā eva ca: likewise also

• nārāyaṇāstram: Nārāyaṇa’s weapon

• aindram: Indra’s (belonging to Indra)

• ca: and

• sārpam astram: serpent/serpentine weapon (nāga-astra)

• tathā: likewise

• adbhutam: marvelous, extraordinary

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu in a catalog-style teaching context)

Entities Mentioned

• Hayashiras
• Brahma
• Narayana (Vishnu)
• Indra
• Sarpa (Nagas/Serpents)

Tags

• Astra-vidya
• Divine weapons
• Mantra-shakti
• Puranic warfare
• Vishnu epithets

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya directly; it functions as a technical enumeration of astras (mantra-empowered divine weapons), reflecting a broader Purāṇic worldview where cosmic order is protected through divinely sanctioned powers.

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

For kings (kṣatriyas), such lists frame the ideal of righteous protection: power is portrayed as legitimate when rooted in dharma and divine sanction (astra as disciplined, invoked force rather than mere violence).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually, these astras imply mantra-based invocation traditions (astra-mantras) used in protective rites and consecratory contexts; however, no specific Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated in this verse.