Shloka 64

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

Devanagari script

मयूरं शतचन्द्रं च कूजन्तं किंनरं यथा गुह आस्थाय वरदो युगोपमरथं पितुः //

Transliteration

mayūraṃ śatacandraṃ ca kūjantaṃ kiṃnaraṃ yathā guha āsthāya varado yugopamarathaṃ pituḥ //

Translation

Guha (Kārttikeya), the boon-giver, mounted a peacock—resplendent like a marvel of “a hundred moons”—and it cried out like a Kinnara; thus he set forth upon his father’s chariot, vast in majesty as a yuga.

Word by Word

• मयूरम्: peacock

• शतचन्द्रम्: having (the splendor of) a hundred moons / ‘hundred-mooned’ (very radiant)

• च: and

• कूजन्तम्: cooing/crying out (making calls)

• किंनरम्: a Kinnara (celestial singer/musician being)

• यथा: like/as

• गुहः: Guha (Skanda/Kārttikeya)

• आस्थाय: having mounted/ascended

• वरदः: giver of boons

• युगोपमरथम्: a chariot comparable to a yuga (immensely great, age-like in magnitude)

• पितुः: of (his) father (i.e., Śiva).

Speaker

• Suta (narrative voice) describing Guha/Skanda

Entities Mentioned

• Guha (Skanda/Kartikeya)
• Mayura (peacock)
• Kinnara
• Pitu (father—commonly Śiva in Skanda context)

Tags

• Skanda
• Iconography
• Divine Vehicles
• Puranic Narrative
• Pratima Lakshana

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a descriptive, iconographic-style portrayal of Guha (Skanda) and his peacock mount, emphasizing radiance and celestial sound.

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

Indirectly, it supports bhakti and dharmic culture: such vivid depictions of deities are used in hearing/recitation and worship, which the Matsya Purana presents as meritorious duties for householders and patrons.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse provides cues for iconography (pratimā-lakṣaṇa): Skanda/Guha associated with the peacock vahana, radiant ‘moon-like’ splendor, and auspicious attributes—useful for temple sculpture, mural programs, and ritual visualization.