Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — The Array of the Gods: Description of the Vaiṣṇava Host and the Lokapālas

Devanagari script

राजराजेश्वरः श्रीमान् गदापाणिरदृश्यत विमानयोधी धनदो विमाने पुष्पके स्थितः //

Transliteration

rājarājeśvaraḥ śrīmān gadāpāṇiradṛśyata vimānayodhī dhanado vimāne puṣpake sthitaḥ //

Translation

Then the glorious Lord of kings, the mace-bearing Dhanada (Kubera), famed as a warrior of aerial chariots, was seen—seated within the Pushpaka vimāna.

Word by Word

• राजराजेश्वरः: lord of kings/sovereign among rulers

• श्रीमान्: glorious, illustrious, endowed with splendor

• गदापाणिः: mace-in-hand, bearing a club

• अदृश्यत: was seen, appeared to sight

• विमानयोधी: fighter/warrior associated with vimānas (aerial chariots)

• धनदः: giver of wealth, Kubera

• विमाने: in the vimāna/aerial car

• पुष्पके: in (the) Puṣpaka (named aerial chariot)

• स्थितः: seated, stationed, abiding

Speaker

• Suta (narrative voice) describing the scene (probable third-person Purana narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Kubera (Dhanada)
• Pushpaka Vimana

Tags

• Iconography
• Vimana
• Kubera
• Puranic narrative
• Royal epithets

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a descriptive, celestial-royal scene highlighting Kubera’s appearance and his association with the Pushpaka vimāna.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces the Purāṇic ideal of legitimate sovereignty and prosperity: Kubera (Dhanada) symbolizes lawful wealth and royal splendor, themes often used to frame righteous kingship and the ethical pursuit of prosperity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse is primarily iconographic: Kubera is described as “gadāpāṇi” (mace-bearing) and enthroned in the Pushpaka vimāna—useful for pratīmā-lakṣaṇa (image/attribute identification) and for linking to Matsya Purana iconography and temple-image guidelines.