Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A..., Shloka 135

Devanagari script

चक्रे सोमास्त्रनिःसृष्टं हिमसंघातकण्टकम् वायव्यं चास्त्रमतुलं चन्द्रश्चक्रे द्वितीयकम् //

Transliteration

cakre somāstraniḥsṛṣṭaṃ himasaṃghātakaṇṭakam vāyavyaṃ cāstramatulaṃ candraścakre dvitīyakam //

Translation

Er erschuf die Soma-Astra; einmal entsandt, wurde sie zu einem dornigen Hagel aus verdichtetem Eis. Und darauf erschuf der Mond eine zweite, unvergleichliche Waffe: die Vāyavya-Astra (Wind-Astra).

Word by Word

• चक्रे: fashioned/created

• सोमास्त्र-निःसृष्टम्: released from the Soma-astra/produced by the Soma-weapon

• हिम: ice/snow

• संघात: mass/compact cluster

• कण्टकम्: thorn-like spikes/barbs

• वायव्यम्: belonging to Vāyu, the Wind

• च: and

• अस्त्रम्: weapon (missile/astral weapon)

• अतुलम्: incomparable/unequalled

• चन्द्रः: the Moon (Candra)

• चक्रे: made/produced

• द्वितीयकम्: the second one/another (weapon).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) describing the astras; within the narrative, Candra (the Moon) is the acting agent mentioned

Entities Mentioned

• Candra
• Soma-astra
• Vāyavya-astra
• Vāyu

Tags

• Astras
• Divine weapons
• Purāṇic warfare
• Candra
• Elemental forces

FAQs

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

It does not describe Pralaya directly; instead it portrays elemental astras—ice (Soma) and wind (Vāyavya)—showing how cosmic forces are weaponized in Purāṇic battle imagery.

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

Indirectly, it frames power as regulated and purposeful: even overwhelming forces (cold and wind) are depicted as controlled ‘astric’ instruments—echoing the Matsya Purana’s broader ethic that authority and force must be disciplined rather than chaotic.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-rule is stated here; the ritual layer is the concept of ‘astra’ as a mantra-empowered missile, where correct invocation and controlled release are central to Purāṇic/Āgamic ritual technology.