Shloka 40

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

Devanagari script

स कश्यपस्यात्मभुवं द्विजं भुजगभोजनम् पवनाधिकसंपातं गगनक्षोभणं खगम् //

Transliteration

sa kaśyapasyātmabhuvaṃ dvijaṃ bhujagabhojanam pavanādhikasaṃpātaṃ gaganakṣobhaṇaṃ khagam //

Translation

He is the self-born son of Kaśyapa—twice-born, the eater of serpents—whose rush is swifter than the wind, and who, as a mighty bird, can shake the very sky.

Word by Word

• स (sa): he

• कश्यपस्य (kaśyapasya): of Kaśyapa

• आत्मभुवम् (ātmabhuvam): self-born/innately manifested (son)

• द्विजम् (dvijam): twice-born (noble/initiated)

• भुजगभोजनम् (bhujaga-bhojanam): eater of serpents

• पवनाधिकसंपातम् (pavanādhika-saṃpātam): having a swoop/flight surpassing the wind

• गगनक्षोभणम् (gagana-kṣobhaṇam): sky-agitating, causing the heavens to tremble

• खगम् (khagam): bird (Garuḍa)

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing Garuḍa within the Matsya Purana’s genealogical-cosmic narration

Entities Mentioned

• Kaśyapa
• Garuḍa
• Serpents (Nāgas)

Tags

• Genealogies
• Iconography
• Cosmic Beings
• Vishnu-Vahana
• Mythic Zoology

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; it highlights a cosmic being (Garuḍa) whose wind-like speed and sky-shaking power signal the Purana’s broader theme of immense forces operating within creation.

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

Indirectly, Garuḍa as the serpent-subduer symbolizes protective power and vigilance—qualities praised for rulers and householders who must restrain harmful forces and uphold order (dharma) in their domain.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vastu or ritual procedure is stated; however, Garuḍa is a key iconographic figure in temple contexts (as Viṣṇu’s vāhana), and this verse supplies epithets used in stotra-like descriptions and image-identification traditions.