Shloka 17

Matsya Purana — The Slaying of Jambha and the Rise of Tāraka: Divine Battle Formations

Devanagari script

चन्द्रखण्डनृमुण्डालीमण्डितोरुशिखण्डिनः शूलज्वालावलिप्ताङ्गा भुजमण्डलभैरवाः //

Transliteration

candrakhaṇḍanṛmuṇḍālīmaṇḍitoruśikhaṇḍinaḥ śūlajvālāvaliptāṅgā bhujamaṇḍalabhairavāḥ //

Translation

They are Bhairavas with mighty arms arrayed in a fearsome circle—wearing lofty crests adorned with a fragment of the crescent moon and garlands of human skulls, their bodies smeared and blazing with the flames of their tridents (śūla).

Word by Word

• चन्द्रखण्ड (candrakhaṇḍa): a fragment/mark of the crescent moon

• नृमुण्डाली (nṛmuṇḍālī): a garland/row of human skulls

• मण्डित (maṇḍita): adorned, decorated

• उरुशिखण्डिनः (uruśikhaṇḍinaḥ): having tall/large crests or topknots

• शूल (śūla): trident/spear (Śiva’s weapon)

• ज्वाला (jvālā): flame

• अवलिप्ताङ्गाः (avaliptāṅgāḥ): having limbs smeared/covered (here, with fiery radiance)

• भुजमण्डल (bhujamaṇḍala): circle/array of arms

• भैरवाः (bhairavāḥ): Bhairavas, fierce Śaiva forms/attendants

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (in the Matsya–Manu dialogue, describing iconographic characteristics)

Entities Mentioned

• Bhairava
• Rudra/Śiva (implied by śūla and crescent iconography)

Tags

• Iconography
• Bhairava
• Shaiva
• Pratima Lakshana
• Temple Art

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it focuses on iconographic identification—how fierce Bhairava forms should be envisioned/depicted through specific emblems like the crescent mark, skull garland, and flaming trident.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma through correct worship and patronage: kings and householders who fund temples or images are expected to follow śāstric descriptions so that installations and rituals align with tradition and yield intended religious merit.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It provides pratima-lakṣaṇa (image-specifications) for Bhairava—key markers (crescent/crest, skull garland, flaming trident, multi-armed circular arrangement) that guide sculptors, temple planners, and priests in correct depiction and consecration.