Shloka 5

Matsya Purana — The Episode of Madhu and Kaiṭabha: Gunas

Devanagari script

नवमेघप्रतीकाशाव् आदित्यसदृशाननौ विद्युदाभौ गदाग्राभ्यां कराभ्यामतिभीषणौ //

Transliteration

navameghapratīkāśāv ādityasadṛśānanau vidyudābhau gadāgrābhyāṃ karābhyāmatibhīṣaṇau //

Translation

Two awe-inspiring beings appeared—dark-hued like fresh rainclouds, yet with faces radiant like the Sun; flashing like lightning, and exceedingly fearsome, their two hands grasping the ends of maces.

Word by Word

• नव (nava): fresh/new

• मेघ (megha): cloud

• प्रतीकाशौ (pratīkāśau): having the appearance/lustre (dual)

• आदित्य (āditya): the Sun

• सदृश (sadṛśa): similar

• आननौ (ānanau): faces (dual)

• विद्युद् (vidyut): lightning

• आभौ (ābhau): shining/bright (dual)

• गदा (gadā): mace

• अग्र (agra): tip/end/fore-part

• आभ्याम् (ābhyām): with/holding (instrumental dual)

• कराभ्याम् (karābhyām): with (their) hands (instrumental dual)

• अतिभीषणौ (atibhīṣaṇau): exceedingly terrifying (dual).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) speaking to Vaivasvata Manu (contextual narration of forms)

Entities Mentioned

• Lord Matsya
• Vishnu
• Aditya (Sun)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Divine Forms
• Weapons
• Temple Art

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya directly; it focuses on visual and symbolic description—dark cloud-like bodies with sun-bright faces—used in Puranic iconography to convey divine power and awe.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic ideal of protection and order: mace-bearing, fearsome figures symbolize the enforcement of dharma—an image parallel to a king’s duty to deter wrongdoing and safeguard society.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse supports pratima-lakṣaṇa practice: specifying complexion, radiance, and weapons helps artists and ritual planners depict guardian-like or attendant figures (often placed at thresholds or near sanctums) with the correct symbolic attributes.