Shloka 35

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

Devanagari script

तेषां तु वायुप्रतिमौजसां वै केयूरमौलीवलयोत्कटानाम् तान्युत्तमाङ्गान्यभितो विभान्ति प्रभातसूर्यांशुसमप्रभाणि //

Transliteration

teṣāṃ tu vāyupratimaujasāṃ vai keyūramaulīvalayotkaṭānām tānyuttamāṅgānyabhito vibhānti prabhātasūryāṃśusamaprabhāṇi //

Translation

And of those beings whose vigor is like the wind, adorned with splendid armlets, crowns, and bracelets, their noble heads shine all around with a brilliance equal to the rays of the rising sun.

Word by Word

• teṣām: of them

• tu: indeed

• vāyu-pratima-aujasām: of those whose energy/vigor is comparable to the wind

• vai: verily

• keyūra: armlet

• mauḷī/maulī: crown/diadem

• valaya: bracelet/bangle

• utkaṭānām: of the prominent/splendid/striking (ornaments)

• tāni: those

• uttama-aṅgāni: the highest limbs, i.e., heads

• abhitaḥ: on all sides

• vibhānti: shine, appear radiant

• prabhāta: dawn, early morning

• sūrya-aṃśu: sun-rays

• sama-prabhāṇi: having equal radiance, of comparable splendor.

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in discourse to Vaivasvata Manu, within descriptive iconography)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vaivasvata Manu
• wind (Vāyu) as a simile
• sun (Sūrya) as a simile

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Ornaments
• Divine Radiance
• Temple Art

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya directly; it is an iconographic description emphasizing divine splendor—radiance compared to dawn-sun rays—used to characterize exalted beings rather than cosmic dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it supports the Purāṇic ethic that rulers and householders should honor the divine through proper worship and patronage of sacred art—commissioning images that reflect prescribed beauty, dignity, and auspicious radiance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It implies a pratima/temple-art standard: divine figures should be shown with prominent ornaments (keyūra, maulī, valaya) and an aura-like radiance around the head—guiding sculptural detailing and ritual visualization (dhyāna) in temple worship.