Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — Vishnu’s Names Across Yugas and the Gods’ Refuge During the Tārakāmaya War

Devanagari script

बलाहकाञ्जननिभं बलाहकतनूरुहम् तेजसा वपुषा चैव कृष्णं कृष्णमिवाचलम् //

Transliteration

balāhakāñjananibhaṃ balāhakatanūruham tejasā vapuṣā caiva kṛṣṇaṃ kṛṣṇamivācalam //

Translation

Dark like the collyrium-black of rain-clouds, with hair like the mass of a cloud, and by the splendor and beauty of his body—black, black indeed—he stands firm like an unmoving mountain.

Word by Word

• बलाहक: rain-cloud

• अञ्जन-निभम्: resembling collyrium/soot-black

• बलाहक-तनू-रुहम्: having hair like (the texture/mass of) a cloud

• तेजसा: by radiance, splendor

• वपुषा: by bodily form/beauty

• च एव: and indeed

• कृष्णम्: dark, black-hued

• कृष्णम् इव: as if truly black

• अचलम्: immovable, mountain-like/steady

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) describing iconographic characteristics

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu (dark-hued divine form implied)
• Rain-cloud (balāhaka) as a simile
• Anjana (collyrium/black pigment) as a simile

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Divine Form
• Color Symbolism
• Murti Shastra

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya directly; it uses cosmic imagery (rain-cloud darkness and mountain-like steadiness) to portray the divine form’s awe-inspiring, unshakable presence.

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

Indirectly, it models the ideal of steadiness (acala) and disciplined radiance (tejas) as virtues—qualities praised in the Matsya Purana for rulers and householders in ethical conduct and self-control.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

Ritually and iconographically, it supports murti-identification: the deity’s cloud-dark hue, luminous tejas, and mountain-like firmness are visual cues used when selecting, installing, and worshipping images in temple practice.