Shloka 35

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

Devanagari script

दैत्यरक्षोगणग्राहं यक्षोरगझषाकुलम् पितामहमहावीर्यं सर्वस्त्रीरत्नशोभितम् //

Transliteration

daityarakṣogaṇagrāhaṃ yakṣoragajhaṣākulam pitāmahamahāvīryaṃ sarvastrīratnaśobhitam //

Translation

It is to be depicted as seizing hosts of Daityas and Rakṣasas, teeming with Yakṣas, serpents, and great fish; endowed with the mighty prowess of the Grandfather (Brahmā), and adorned with every kind of jewel-like beauty associated with women (i.e., feminine ornaments and precious gems).

Word by Word

• दैत्य (daitya): demon of the Daitya clan

• रक्षोगण (rakṣo-gaṇa): bands/hosts of Rakṣasas

• ग्राहम् (grāham): seizing, grasping, a captor

• यक्ष (yakṣa): Yakṣa nature-spirit/attendant deity

• उरग (uraga): serpent

• झष (jhaṣa): large fish/sea-creature

• आकुलम् (ākulam): crowded, filled, teeming

• पितामह (pitāmaha): the Grandfather, Brahmā

• महावीर्यम् (mahā-vīryam): great power/heroic potency

• सर्व (sarva): all, every

• स्त्री (strī): woman/feminine

• रत्न (ratna): jewel, precious gem

• शोभितम् (śobhitam): adorned, beautified, resplendent

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) instructing Vaivasvata Manu (iconographic/ritual description)

Entities Mentioned

• Brahma (Pitamaha)
• Daityas
• Rakshasas
• Yakshas
• Nagas (Uraga)
• Jhasha (great fish/sea-creatures)

Tags

• Iconography
• Vahana
• Vastu Shastra
• Pratima Lakshana
• Ritual Art

FAQs

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

Indirectly, it evokes the cosmic-ocean imagery—crowded with serpents and great fish—often used in Purāṇic descriptions of primordial waters, but the verse itself functions mainly as an iconographic directive rather than a Pralaya narrative.

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

It relates through dharmic patronage: kings and householders gain merit by commissioning correct temple images and sacred art; the verse supplies the ‘right form’ (lakṣaṇa) so worship and endowments are made according to scripture.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

This is a pratima-lakṣaṇa cue for sculptors and temple planners: the deity/vehicle should be shown as teeming with specific beings (Daityas, Rakṣasas, Yakṣas, Nāgas, fish) and richly ornamented—details that guide temple icon programs and consecration-ready imagery.