Shloka 29

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

Devanagari script

अस्त्रैः प्रज्वलितैः सिंहम् आवृणोदसुरोत्तमः विवस्वान् घर्मसमये हिमवन्तमिवांशुभिः //

Transliteration

astraiḥ prajvalitaiḥ siṃham āvṛṇodasurottamaḥ vivasvān gharmasamaye himavantamivāṃśubhiḥ //

Translation

With blazing missiles, that foremost of Asuras enveloped the lion—just as the Sun, in the heat of summer, covers Himavat with his rays.

Word by Word

• अस्त्रैः: with missiles/weapon-projectiles

• प्रज्वलितैः: blazing, flaming

• सिंहम्: the lion (or lion-like warrior)

• आवृणोत्: covered, enveloped, shrouded

• असुरोत्तमः: the best/foremost among Asuras

• विवस्वान्: the Sun

• घर्मसमये: in the season/time of heat (summer)

• हिमवन्तम्: Himavat, the हिमालय mountain

• इव: like, as

• अंशुभिः: with rays

Speaker

• Suta (Puranic narrator) describing the combat scene (narrative voice within Matsya Purana)

Entities Mentioned

• Asura (unnamed)
• Siṃha (lion / lion-like figure)
• Vivasvān (Sun)
• Himavat (Himalaya)

Tags

• Devasura war
• Puranic simile
• Battle poetics
• Astras
• Mythic narrative

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it is a combat image using a natural simile (sunlight over Himavat) to convey how completely the Asura’s blazing astras shrouded the opponent.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic ideal that martial power (astra-vidyā) can decisively dominate a battlefield; in rajadharma contexts, such imagery supports the expectation that rulers maintain disciplined military capability—though no explicit ethical injunction appears in this line.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the verse is purely narrative and poetic, centered on astras (weapons) and a nature-based comparison.