Shloka 39

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

Devanagari script

अन्यैर्भुजैः प्रदीप्तानि भुजगारिध्वजः प्रभुः दधारायुधजातानि शार्ङ्गादीनि महाबलः //

Transliteration

anyairbhujaiḥ pradīptāni bhujagāridhvajaḥ prabhuḥ dadhārāyudhajātāni śārṅgādīni mahābalaḥ //

Translation

With his other arms blazing with splendor, the mighty Lord—whose banner bears the emblem of the serpent—held the various divine weapons, beginning with the Śārṅga bow.

Word by Word

• अन्यैः (anyaiḥ): with other

• भुजैः (bhujaiḥ): by/with arms

• प्रदीप्तानि (pradīptāni): blazing, radiant

• भुजगारि-ध्वजः (bhujagāri-dhvajaḥ): whose banner bears the serpent emblem (lit. serpent on the flag)

• प्रभुः (prabhuḥ): the Lord, sovereign

• दधार (dadhāra): held, bore

• आयुध-जातानि (āyudha-jātāni): sets/collections of weapons

• शार्ङ्ग-आदीनि (śārṅgādīni): beginning with Śārṅga (Vishnu’s bow) and others

• महाबलः (mahābalaḥ): of great strength, very mighty

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the Lord in an iconographic context (Pratima-Lakshana style description)

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu (implied as the Lord holding Śārṅga)
• Śārṅga (Vishnu’s bow)
• Serpent emblem (Nāga / Śeṣa symbolism implied)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Vishnu
• Ayudha
• Temple Art

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it focuses on the Lord’s radiant multi-armed form and the holding of divine weapons, a typical iconographic (Pratima-Lakshana) detail.

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

Indirectly, it presents the Lord as the bearer of divine weapons—symbolizing protection, righteous force, and order—ideals that kings are expected to uphold through dharma and the safeguarding of subjects.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It supports temple iconography standards: Vishnu may be represented with multiple arms holding āyudhas such as the Śārṅga bow, and with identifying emblems (like a serpent-marked banner), guiding sculptors and ritual installers in correct depiction.