Shloka 38

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

Devanagari script

संत्रासितास्तेन नृसिंहरूपिणा दितेः सुताः पावकतुल्यतेजसा / भयाद्विचेलुः पवनोद्धुताङ्गा यथोर्मयः सागरवारिसंभवाः //

Transliteration

saṃtrāsitāstena nṛsiṃharūpiṇā diteḥ sutāḥ pāvakatulyatejasā / bhayādviceluḥ pavanoddhutāṅgā yathormayaḥ sāgaravārisaṃbhavāḥ //

Translation

Terrified by Him in the form of Narasiṃha, blazing with a radiance equal to fire, the sons of Diti reeled and staggered in fear— their bodies shaken as if struck by wind—like the waves that arise from the ocean’s waters.

Word by Word

• संत्रासिताः: terrified

• तेन: by Him

• नृसिंहरूपिणा: in the form of Narasiṃha (man-lion)

• दितेः सुताः: the sons of Diti (Daityas)

• पावकतुल्यतेजसा: with splendor like fire

• भयात्: from fear

• विचेलुः: they reeled/staggered

• पवनोद्धुताङ्गाः: having limbs shaken by the wind (wind-tossed bodies)

• यथा: just as

• ऊर्मयः: waves

• सागरवारिसंभवाः: born from the ocean’s waters.

Speaker

• Purāṇic narrator (traditional frame: Sūta speaking to the sages), describing the event

Entities Mentioned

• Narasimha
• Diti
• Daityas (sons of Diti)
• Pavaka (Fire, as simile)
• Ocean (Sāgara)

Tags

• Narasimha
• Daitya
• Divine radiance
• Puranic battle imagery
• Fear and awe

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it uses an ocean-wave simile to portray panic and instability, imagery that can echo cosmic turbulence but here serves a narrative purpose—showing the overwhelming force of Narasiṃha.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces the Matsya Purana’s ethical theme that adharma collapses before divine and righteous power: a king should protect the innocent and restrain violent forces, just as Narasiṃha’s presence makes oppressive powers lose their footing.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is specified in this verse; its main significance is theological and poetic—fire-like tejas (radiance) and the ocean-wave simile emphasize divine majesty, often invoked in devotional recitation to contemplate protective avatar-power.