Shloka 42

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

Devanagari script

देवासुरविमर्देषु बहुशो दृष्टविक्रमम् महेन्द्रेणामृतस्यार्थे वज्रेण कृतलक्षणम् //

Transliteration

devāsuravimardeṣu bahuśo dṛṣṭavikramam mahendreṇāmṛtasyārthe vajreṇa kṛtalakṣaṇam //

Translation

In the many clashes between the gods and the asuras, his prowess was repeatedly witnessed; and for the sake of the nectar of immortality, Great Indra marked him with the thunderbolt (vajra).

Word by Word

• deva: gods

• asura: asuras/demons

• vimarda: crushing conflict, fierce clash

• bahuśaḥ: many times, repeatedly

• dṛṣṭa: seen, witnessed

• vikrama: valor, prowess

• mahendra: Mahendra, Indra

• amṛta: nectar of immortality

• artha: purpose, sake

• vajra: thunderbolt (Indra’s weapon)

• kṛta: made, done

• lakṣaṇam: mark, distinguishing sign (iconographic feature).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (instructing Vaivasvata Manu on lakṣaṇa/iconographic identification)

Entities Mentioned

• Devas
• Asuras
• Mahendra (Indra)
• Amrita
• Vajra

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Indra
• Vajra
• Deva-Asura wars

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss pralaya; it recalls deva–asura battles and highlights a distinctive mark made by Indra’s vajra, serving iconographic identification rather than cosmology.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma through correct worship: kings and householders are to commission and venerate properly identified deities; knowing lakṣaṇas (distinctive marks) prevents misidentification in ritual and temple practice.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It functions as a pratima-lakṣaṇa guideline: the ‘vajra-mark’ associated with Indra/amṛta narratives is a distinguishing feature to be represented or recognized when installing or worshiping an image in a temple context.