Shloka 36

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

Devanagari script

क्षिपद्भिर् उग्रैर् ज्वलितैर् महाबलैर् महास्त्रपूगैः सुसमावृतो बभौ / गिरिर्यथा संततवर्षिभिर् घनैः कृतान्धकारान्तरकंदरो द्रुमैः //

Transliteration

kṣipadbhir ugrair jvalitair mahābalair mahāstrapūgaiḥ susamāvṛto babhau / giriryathā saṃtatavarṣibhir ghanaiḥ kṛtāndhakārāntarakaṃdaro drumaiḥ //

Translation

Covered on all sides by volleys of mighty, blazing, fierce missiles, he appeared enveloped completely—like a mountain continually rained upon by dense clouds, whose ravines and inner caves become darkened amid the trees.

Word by Word

• क्षिपद्भिः: by those that were being hurled

• उग्रैः: fierce/terrible

• ज्वलितैः: blazing, flaming

• महाबलैः: of great power

• महास्त्रपूगैः: by multitudes/volleys of great weapons (astra)

• सुसमावृतः: well-covered, completely enveloped

• बभौ: shone/appeared

• गिरिः: a mountain

• यथा: as/like

• संततवर्षिभिः: by those that rain continuously

• घनैः: by dense clouds

• कृतान्धकार: causing darkness

• अन्तर: within/inside

• कन्दरः: cave, ravine

• द्रुमैः: with/among trees.

Speaker

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrator describing the scene; not a direct Matsya–Manu dialogue verse)

Entities Mentioned

• mahāstra (celestial weapons)
• giri (mountain)
• ghana (clouds)
• druma (trees)

Tags

• Battle
• Astras
• Epic simile
• Puranic warfare
• Imagery

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it uses natural imagery (dense clouds darkening mountain caves) as a simile to convey the overwhelming cover of blazing missiles in a battle scene.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the kṣātra (royal/warrior) sphere—depicting the intensity of combat and the use of astras—supporting the Purāṇic ideal that rulers and warriors must face peril with steadiness amid overwhelming attacks.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is taught here; the verse is primarily poetic narration, using landscape elements (mountain, caves, trees, clouds) to intensify the depiction of a battlefield covered by weapon volleys.