Matsya Purana — Description of the Daitya–Dānava War Preparations and Maya’s Divine Chariots, Shloka 9

Devanagari script

तारमुत्क्रोशविस्तारं सर्वं हेममयं रथम् शैलाकारमसंबाधं नीलाञ्जनचयोपमम् //

Transliteration

tāramutkrośavistāraṃ sarvaṃ hemamayaṃ ratham śailākāramasaṃbādhaṃ nīlāñjanacayopamam //

Translation

He described a chariot of vast extent, wholly made of gold—mountain-like in form, unobstructed and spacious, and resembling a mass of dark blue collyrium.

Word by Word

• तारम्: shining/bright

• उत्क्रोश-विस्तारम्: of immense breadth and expanse

• सर्वम्: entirely

• हेममयम्: made of gold

• रथम्: chariot

• शैल-आकारम्: having the form of a mountain

• असंबाधम्: unconfined, unobstructed, spacious

• नील-अञ्जन-चय-उपमम्: comparable to a heap/mass of blue-black collyrium (deep dark-lustrous).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrating the Matsya Purana’s account, within the Matsya–Manu Pralaya cycle)

Entities Mentioned

• Ratha (Divine Chariot)

Tags

• Pralaya
• Divine Iconography
• Mythic Description
• Vishnu/Matsya Cycle
• Puranic Imagery

FAQs

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

It contributes to the Pralaya narrative by portraying a vast, luminous, otherworldly vehicle—imagery that underscores divine intervention and cosmic scale amid dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it reinforces the Purāṇic ethic that worldly power is secondary to divine order: the king/householder should cultivate humility and preparedness for upheaval by adhering to dharma.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

The verse uses technical visual markers—vast proportions, unobstructed space, mountain-like massing, and luminous materials—which parallel Vāstu/śilpa ideals of grandeur, stability, and auspicious radiance in sacred constructions.