Shloka 6

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

Devanagari script

वज्रविस्फूर्जितोद्भूतैर् विद्युदिन्द्रायुधोदितैः युक्तो बलाहकगणैः पर्वतैरिव कामगैः //

Transliteration

vajravisphūrjitodbhūtair vidyudindrāyudhoditaiḥ yukto balāhakagaṇaiḥ parvatairiva kāmagaiḥ //

Translation

Filled with hosts of rain-clouds—born of the thunder’s crashing roar, and lit up by lightning that rises like Indra’s weapon—the sky appeared as though it were joined with mountains that move at will.

Word by Word

vajrathunderbolt (Indra’s bolt), thunder

visphūrjitacrashing roar, thunderclap

udbhūtaiḥarising from, produced by

vidyutlightning

indrāyudhaIndra’s weapon (thunderbolt

uditaiḥrisen, shining forth

yuktaḥjoined with, filled with

balāhakarain-cloud

gaṇaiḥgroups, hosts

parvataiḥmountains

ivalike, as if

kāma-gaiḥmoving according to desire, freely roaming

Speaker

Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the scene within the Matsya Purana’s Pralaya-leaning narrative flow (as transmitted in the dialogue tradition).

Entities Mentioned

IndraVajraIndrāyudhaBalāhaka (rain-clouds)

FAQs

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

It portrays an overwhelming, ominous sky packed with thunder, lightning, and massive cloud-hosts—imagery commonly used in the Matsya Purana to signal cosmic disturbance and the approach of Pralaya-like conditions.

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

Indirectly, it frames a time of extraordinary natural upheaval; in Purāṇic ethics such portents imply heightened vigilance—kings ensure protection and order, while householders intensify restraint, charity, and ritual steadiness amid instability.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu rule is stated; ritually, the verse functions as a portent-description—such storm-signs in Purāṇic contexts typically cue propitiatory rites to Indra and deities of rain, lightning, and protection.