Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — Vishnu’s Battle with Mathana

Devanagari script

महिषस्याथ ससृजे बाणौघं गरुडध्वजः पिधाय वदनं दिव्यैर् दिव्यास्त्रपरिमन्त्रितैः //

Transliteration

mahiṣasyātha sasṛje bāṇaughaṃ garuḍadhvajaḥ pidhāya vadanaṃ divyair divyāstraparimantritaiḥ //

Translation

Then the Garuḍa-bannered Lord (Viṣṇu) loosed a torrent of arrows at Mahiṣa, sealing his mouth with celestial missiles empowered by divine weapon-mantras.

Word by Word

• महिषस्य (mahiṣasya): of/against Mahiṣa (the buffalo(-demon))

• अथ (atha): then

• ससृजे (sasṛje): he discharged/let loose

• बाणौघम् (bāṇaugham): a flood/torrent of arrows

• गरुडध्वजः (garuḍadhvajaḥ): the one whose banner is Garuḍa (Viṣṇu)

• पिधाय (pidhāya): having closed/shut/sealed

• वदनम् (vadanam): the mouth/face

• दिव्यैः (divyaiḥ): with celestial/divine (weapons)

• दिव्यास्त्रपरिमन्त्रितैः (divyāstraparimantritaiḥ): consecrated/charged by divine weapon-mantras (i.e., mantra-empowered astras).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the action in the episode (third-person narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Garuḍadhvaja (Viṣṇu)
• Mahiṣa
• Divyāstras (celestial weapons)

Tags

• Divyāstra
• Combat
• Viṣṇu
• Puranic warfare
• Mantra-empowered weapons

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it depicts Puranic combat where Viṣṇu uses mantra-empowered celestial weapons to restrain and overwhelm an adversary (Mahiṣa).

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

Indirectly, it reflects the ideal of disciplined power: force is effective when governed by dharma and proper procedure (mantra/vidhi), paralleling a king’s duty to apply punishment or restraint lawfully rather than impulsively.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The key ritual idea is “parimantrita”—weapons made effective through mantra-consecration; it echoes broader Matsya Purana themes that rites gain potency through correct mantra and method (vidhi), though no Vāstu/temple rule is stated in this verse.