Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A..., Shloka 26

Devanagari script

मुद्गरं कालदण्डाभं गृहीत्वा गिरिसंनिभः ग्रसनो घोरसंकल्पः संदष्टौष्ठपुटच्छदः //

Transliteration

mudgaraṃ kāladaṇḍābhaṃ gṛhītvā girisaṃnibhaḥ grasano ghorasaṃkalpaḥ saṃdaṣṭauṣṭhapuṭacchadaḥ //

Translation

കാലദണ്ഡത്തെപ്പോലെയുള്ള മുദ്ഗരം കൈയിൽ എടുത്ത്, പർവ്വതസമാന ദേഹമുള്ള ഗ്രസനൻ—ഘോരസങ്കൽപ്പത്തോടെ—ചുണ്ടുകൾ കടിച്ചമർത്തി, മുഖാവരണം ദൃഢമാക്കി നിന്നു।

Word by Word

• मुद्गरम्: a mace/hammer

• कालदण्डाभम्: resembling the rod/staff of Kāla (Time/Death)

• गृहीत्वा: having seized/taken up

• गिरिसंनिभः: like a mountain, mountain-like

• ग्रसनः: Grasana (a named being/demon

• घोरसंकल्पः: of terrible intention/resolution

• संदष्ट: clenched/pressed together

• ओष्ठ: lips

• पुटच्छदः: mouth-covering/face-covering (lit. cover of the mouth cavity)

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu) describing the terrifying manifestations associated with Pralaya to Vaivasvata Manu

Entities Mentioned

• Kāla
• Grasana

Tags

• Pralaya
• Kāla (Time/Death)
• Demonic/terrifying forms
• Cosmic dissolution
• Mythic iconography

FAQs

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

It depicts Pralaya as a time when terrifying, death-like forces manifest—symbolized by a mace like Kāla’s staff and a devouring figure (Grasana) embodying destructive resolve.

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

Indirectly, it serves as a reminder of Kāla (inevitable Time/Death), encouraging rulers and householders to act with dharma and urgency, since worldly power is ultimately overcome by Time.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is stated directly; the verse is primarily iconographic—useful for identifying Pralaya-associated fierce forms (weapons, stance, expression) in narrative and visual tradition.