Matsya Purana — The Strategy to Defeat Tāraka: Pārvatī’s Birth, Shloka 25

Devanagari script

अकिंचित्करतां यातः करस्ते न विभासते अलं नीलोत्पलाभेन चक्रेण मधुसूदन //

Transliteration

akiṃcitkaratāṃ yātaḥ karaste na vibhāsate alaṃ nīlotpalābhena cakreṇa madhusūdana //

Translation

നിന്റെ കൈ ശൂന്യമായാൽ അതിന്റെ പൂർണ്ണ ദീപ്തി തെളിയുകയില്ല. അതുകൊണ്ട്, ഹേ മധുസൂദന, നീലത്താമരപോലെ പ്രകാശമുള്ള സുദർശനചക്രം ധരിച്ച് അത് അലങ്കരിക്കപ്പെടുന്നത് യുക്തമാണ്.

Word by Word

• akimcit-karatām: emptiness of the hand / having nothing in hand

• yātaḥ: having become / having gone to

• karaḥ te: Your hand

• na vibhāsate: does not shine / does not appear splendid

• alam: it is proper / enough, fitting

• nīla-utpala-ābhena: with the luster of a blue lotus

• cakreṇa: with the discus (Sudarśana Chakra)

• madhusūdana: O slayer of Madhu (Vishnu)

Speaker

• Suta (narrating the iconographic praise/instruction concerning Vishnu’s attributes)

Entities Mentioned

• Madhusudana
• Sudarshana Chakra
• Vishnu

Tags

• Iconography
• Pratima Lakshana
• Vishnu
• Ayudha
• Temple Art

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it focuses on iconographic theology—how Vishnu’s hand gains splendor through the presence of the Sudarshana Chakra.

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

Indirectly, it supports dharmic practice by emphasizing correct worship: kings and householders are advised in the Puranas to patronize and maintain proper temple images and rituals, where Vishnu’s attributes (like the chakra) must be depicted accurately.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

It signals a pratima-lakshana rule: Vishnu’s image should not be shown with an empty hand; the hand should bear the chakra, aiding correct temple sculpture, consecration (pratiṣṭhā), and devotional visualization.