Shloka 32

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

Devanagari script

मुद्गरैर्भिन्दिपालैश्च शिलोलूखलपर्वतैः शतघ्नीभिश्च दीप्ताभिर् दण्डैरपि सुदारुणैः //

Transliteration

mudgarairbhindipālaiśca śilolūkhalaparvataiḥ śataghnībhiśca dīptābhir daṇḍairapi sudāruṇaiḥ //

Translation

With maces and bhindipāla-spears, with rocks, stone mortars, and mountain-like boulders; with blazing śataghnī weapons as well, and with exceedingly dreadful staves—(they fought/assailed).

Word by Word

• mudgaraiḥ: with maces

• bhindipālaiḥ: with bhindipāla missiles/spears

• ca: and

• śilā: rocks/stones

• ulūkhala: mortar (stone mortar)

• parvataiḥ: with mountains/mountain-like masses

• śataghnībhiḥ: with śataghnī weapons (lit. 'slayer of a hundred', a destructive missile/engine)

• ca: and

• dīptābhiḥ: blazing, flaming

• daṇḍaiḥ: with staves/clubs

• api: also

• sudāruṇaiḥ: very dreadful/terrible

Speaker

• Suta (narratorial voice, describing martial action within the Matsya Purana’s royal-dharma context)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Yuddha-vidhi
• Weapons
• Kshatriya
• Matsya Purana warfare

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it is a martial catalogue describing the use of heavy weapons and destructive implements in battle.

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

In the Rajadharma frame, it reflects the Kshatriya sphere—kings and warriors maintaining order through sanctioned force; it implies preparedness, armament, and the realities of warfare that royal duty sometimes entails.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vastu or ritual procedure is stated; the verse is significant for historical-military vocabulary (e.g., śataghnī as a destructive weapon/engine) rather than temple architecture.