Shloka 43

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

Devanagari script

मनश्चक्रे विनाशाय दानवानां महामृधे आकाशे तु स्थितो विष्णुर् उत्तमं वपुरास्थितः //

Transliteration

manaścakre vināśāya dānavānāṃ mahāmṛdhe ākāśe tu sthito viṣṇur uttamaṃ vapurāsthitaḥ //

Translation

In that great battle, Viṣṇu resolved upon the destruction of the Dānavas; stationed in the sky, he assumed his supreme form.

Word by Word

• manaḥ cakre: resolved/formed the intention

• vināśāya: for the destruction

• dānavānām: of the Dānavas (demon-clans)

• mahā-mṛdhe: in the great combat/battle

• ākāśe: in the sky

• tu: indeed/then

• sthitaḥ: standing/remaining

• viṣṇuḥ: Viṣṇu

• uttamam: supreme, excellent

• vapuḥ: form/body

• āsthitaḥ: assumed/took on

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the event

Entities Mentioned

• Viṣṇu
• Dānava

Tags

• Devāsura War
• Viṣṇu
• Divine Intervention
• Battle Narrative
• Theophany

FAQs

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

This verse is not a Pralaya passage; it highlights divine intervention—Viṣṇu manifests his supreme form to end destructive forces (the Dānavas) in a cosmic conflict.

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

By portraying Viṣṇu’s resolve to remove violent, unrighteous forces, the verse supports the Matsya Purāṇa’s ethic that rulers should protect society and restrain adharma with firm, principled action.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the key takeaway is theological—Viṣṇu’s “supreme form” (uttama vapuḥ) underlies later iconographic discussions about depicting divine majesty.