Shloka 24

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

Devanagari script

चन्द्रार्ककिरणोद्द्योतं गिरिकूटमिवोच्छ्रितम् नन्दकानन्दितकरं शराशीविषधारिणम् //

Transliteration

candrārkakiraṇoddyotaṃ girikūṭamivocchritam nandakānanditakaraṃ śarāśīviṣadhāriṇam //

Translation

Blazing with the radiance of the moon and the sun’s rays, lofty like a mountain-peak; delighting the hand that bears Nandaka, and holding the arrows and the serpent-like poison (i.e., deadly missiles).

Word by Word

• candra: moon

• arka: sun

• kiraṇa: ray

• uddyotam: shining, blazing forth

• girikūṭam: mountain-peak

• iva: like

• ucchritam: raised high, lofty

• nandaka: Nandaka (Viṣṇu’s sword)

• ānandita: gladdened, delighted

• karam: hand

• śara: arrow

• āśī: (as in āśīviṣa) serpent

• āśīviṣa: poisonous serpent / venomous

• dhāriṇam: bearing, holding

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (context: iconographic description)

Entities Mentioned

• Nandaka

Tags

• Iconography
• Ayudha-Lakshana
• Vishnu
• Pratima
• Temple-arts

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on iconographic description—how divine emblems/weapons should be envisioned as radiant, lofty, and fearsome in sacred imagery.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharma by prescribing correct sacred representation: rulers and householders who commission temples or images should ensure the deity’s weapons/emblems are depicted according to śāstric standards, treating worship as a disciplined duty.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse functions as a pratima-lakṣaṇa cue for temple art: the deity’s weaponry should be shown as brilliantly radiant (sun-moon-like), elevated/majestic (mountain-peak-like), and equipped with canonical emblems such as Nandaka—guiding sculptors and ritual patrons.