Shloka 34

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

Devanagari script

सुवर्णमालाकुलभूषिताङ्गाः पीतांशुकाभोगविभाविताङ्गाः मुक्तावलीदामसनाथकक्षा हंसा इवाभान्ति विशालपक्षाः //

Transliteration

suvarṇamālākulabhūṣitāṅgāḥ pītāṃśukābhogavibhāvitāṅgāḥ muktāvalīdāmasanāthakakṣā haṃsā ivābhānti viśālapakṣāḥ //

Translation

Their limbs are richly adorned with garlands of gold; their bodies are made resplendent by the flowing drape of yellow garments; their waists are girded and beautified by strings of pearl-necklaces—thus they shine like broad-winged swans.

Word by Word

• suvarṇa-mālā: golden garlands

• ākula: filled with, crowded with

• bhūṣita-aṅgāḥ: those whose limbs are ornamented

• pīta-aṃśuka: yellow garments

• ābhoga: flowing drape, full spread (of cloth/ornament)

• vibhāvita-aṅgāḥ: whose bodies are made radiant/illuminated

• muktāvalī: rows/strings of pearls

• dāma: garland/chain/strand

• sanātha: furnished with, provided with

• kakṣā: waist/girdle region

• haṃsāḥ: swans

• iva: like

• ābhānti: they shine, appear splendid

• viśāla-pakṣāḥ: broad-winged (wide-winged).

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the ornamented, swan-like splendour of celestial/divine figures within the iconography-oriented passage

Entities Mentioned

• Haṃsa (swan imagery)
• Suvarṇa (gold)
• Muktā (pearls)

Tags

• Iconography
• Ornaments
• Pratima Lakshana
• Vastu Shastra
• Temple Art

FAQs

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

This verse does not speak about Pralaya; it focuses on visual splendour and ornamentation, using swan imagery to convey purity and radiance.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic ideal of śrī (auspicious beauty and order): kings and householders are encouraged to uphold cleanliness, auspicious attire, and dignified presentation in rituals and public acts.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It supports pratima-lakṣaṇa practice: temple images or painted figures are to be shown with specific ornaments—gold garlands, yellow drapery, and pearl strands—enhancing auspiciousness and canonical beauty in sacred art.