Shloka 26

Matsya Purana — The Gods Seek Śiva’s Refuge: The Cosmic Chariot Prepared for the Burning of T...

Devanagari script

ते सर्पा दर्पसम्पूर्णाश् चापतूणेष्व् अनूनगाः अवतस्थुः शरा भूत्वा नानाजातिशुभाननाः //

Transliteration

te sarpā darpasampūrṇāś cāpatūṇeṣv anūnagāḥ avatasthuḥ śarā bhūtvā nānājātiśubhānanāḥ //

Translation

Those serpents—swollen with pride—were in no way lacking as they took their place in the quivers; becoming arrows, they stood ready, their auspicious faces of many different kinds.

Word by Word

• ते (te): those

• सर्पाः (sarpāḥ): serpents

• दर्प-सम्पूर्णाः (darpa-sampūrṇāḥ): filled with pride

• चाप-तूणेषु (cāpa-tūṇeṣu): in the bowmen’s quivers (arrow-cases)

• अनूनगाः (anūnagāḥ): not deficient, fully adequate

• अवतस्थुः (avatasthuḥ): stood, remained stationed

• शराः (śarāḥ): arrows

• भूत्वा (bhūtvā): having become

• नाना-जाती (nānā-jāti): of many kinds/species

• शुभ-आननाः (śubhānanāḥ): having auspicious/beautiful faces.

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice) describing the scene within the Matsya Purana’s ongoing discourse

Entities Mentioned

• Serpents (Nāgas)
• Arrows (Śara)
• Quiver (Tūṇa)

Tags

• Matsya Purana battle imagery
• Nāga-māyā
• Dhanurveda
• Puranic warfare
• Mythic weaponry

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it uses martial, mythic imagery—serpents transforming into arrows—to convey supernatural weaponry and the intensity of conflict.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Kṣatriya sphere (royal duty): preparedness, disciplined armament, and the idea that power can be augmented by extraordinary means—yet pride (darpa) is hinted as a moral risk in wielding force.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-ritual rule is stated; the technical focus is on weapon terminology (tūṇa/quiver, śara/arrow) and the motif of transformation (bhūtvā) common in Puranic descriptions.