Shloka 37

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

Devanagari script

कृष्णान्यथ च पीतानि श्वेतमाञ्जिष्ठकानि च अवदाताः पताकास्तु बभूवुः पवनेरिताः //

Transliteration

kṛṣṇānyatha ca pītāni śvetamāñjiṣṭhakāni ca avadātāḥ patākāstu babhūvuḥ pavaneritāḥ //

Translation

Then banners of many hues—black, yellow, white, and madder-red (mañjiṣṭhā)—appeared, bright and conspicuous, driven to flutter by the wind.

Word by Word

• कृष्णानि: black (banners/colours)

• अथ: then

• च: and

• पीतानि: yellow

• श्वेत: white

• माञ्जिष्ठकानि: madder-red (coloured with mañjiṣṭhā)

• अवदाताः: bright, clear, shining

• पताकाः: banners, flags

• तु: indeed

• बभूवुः: became/appeared

• पवनेरिताः: impelled/driven by the wind

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) reporting the omens within the Matsya Purana’s dialogue frame

Entities Mentioned

• Pavana (Wind)
• Patākā (banners/flags)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Omens
• Portents
• Ritual-signs
• Iconography

FAQs

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

It presents a classic Purāṇic “nimitta” (omen): vividly coloured banners stirred by wind—an atmospheric sign used to signal that a significant cosmic or historical turn (often linked with upheaval or Pralaya-context narration) is underway.

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

Such omens were traditionally read by rulers and householders to decide on protective rites, public rituals, and prudent governance—responding to signs in nature with dharmic action rather than negligence.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Patākās (temple/ritual flags) and their colours are part of ceremonial display; the verse supports the ritual importance of banners as visible markers of auspicious/inauspicious conditions—useful for interpreting Matsya Purana ritual symbolism alongside temple-festival practices.