Matsya Purana — Vishnu’s Battle with the Daityas: Astra-Combat, Shloka 15

Devanagari script

चिछेदाथ धनुर्विष्णोर् निमिर्भल्लेन दानवः संध्यमानं शरं हस्ते चिछेद महिषासुरः //

Transliteration

cichedātha dhanurviṣṇor nimirbhallena dānavaḥ saṃdhyamānaṃ śaraṃ haste cicheda mahiṣāsuraḥ //

Translation

Daraufhin zerschnitt der Dānava Nimi mit einem scharfen Pfeil den Bogen Viṣṇus; und Mahīṣāsura, während das Geschoss gerade angelegt wurde, hieb den Pfeil in der Hand entzwei.

Word by Word

• चिछेदाथ: then he cut/severed

• धनुः: bow

• विष्णोः: of Viṣṇu

• निमिः: Nimi (a named demon/warrior)

• भल्लेन: with a bhalla (a sharp arrow/bolt)

• दानवः: the demon

• संध्यमानम्: being fixed/being fitted (to the bow)

• शरम्: arrow

• हस्ते: in the hand

• चिछेद: cut/severed

• महिषासुरः: Mahiṣāsura (the buffalo-demon).

Speaker

• Suta (Purana narrator) describing the battle events

Entities Mentioned

• Vishnu
• Nimi (Danava)
• Mahishasura

Tags

• Devi-Mahatmya
• Battle
• Asura
• Weaponry
• Puranic narrative

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is a battlefield detail in the Mahīṣāsura conflict, focusing on weapon-interception rather than cosmic creation or pralaya.

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

Indirectly, it illustrates vigilance and tactical readiness in conflict—virtues praised in Purāṇic ethics for rulers (kṣātra-dharma), even though no explicit royal or household duty is stated here.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is mentioned; the verse is strictly martial, describing the cutting of a bow and an arrow during combat.