Shloka 23

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

Devanagari script

चतुर्द्विगुणपीनांसं किरीटच्छन्नमूर्धजम् बभौ चामीकरप्रख्यैर् आयुधैरुपशोभितम् //

Transliteration

caturdviguṇapīnāṃsaṃ kirīṭacchannamūrdhajam babhau cāmīkaraprakhyair āyudhairupaśobhitam //

Translation

He shone forth with shoulders broad and powerfully built, his hair covered by a diadem; and he was further adorned by weapons gleaming like refined gold.

Word by Word

• चतुर्द्विगुण (catur-dviguṇa): fourfold and doubled, exceedingly increased

• पीन-अंसम् (pīna-aṃsam): broad-shouldered, with full/strong shoulders

• किरीट (kirīṭa): crown, diadem

• छन्न (channa): covered

• मूर्धजम् (mūrdhajam): hair (lit. born on the head)

• बभौ (babhau): shone, appeared resplendent

• चामीकर (cāmīkara): gold

• प्रख्यैः (prakhyaiḥ): resembling, having the luster of

• आयुधैः (āyudhaiḥ): with weapons

• उपशोभितम् (upaśobhitam): beautified/adorned, made splendid

Speaker

• Suta (narrator), describing the deity’s form within the Matsya Purana’s iconographic passage

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu (implied by the divine iconographic description)
• Kirita (crown/diadem)
• Ayudha (divine weapons)

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Divine Weapons
• Temple Imagery
• Puranic Description

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it focuses on iconographic splendor—broad shoulders, a crown, and gold-like weapons—typical of a divine manifestation meant for contemplation or installation.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic kingship and household worship by presenting the deity as armed and resplendent—an emblem of protection and righteous order that rulers and householders are expected to honor through devotion and proper ritual.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It supplies pratima-lakṣaṇa cues for temple/altar imagery: the deity should be shown crowned (kirīṭin) and adorned with shining weapons—details useful for sculptors, consecration rites, and iconographic correctness in temple practice.