Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A..., Shloka 47

Devanagari script

स्कन्धे निधाय दैत्यस्य मुखं विश्रान्तिमैच्छत तमालक्ष्य ततो दैत्यः श्रान्तमन्तकमोजसा //

Transliteration

skandhe nidhāya daityasya mukhaṃ viśrāntimaicchata tamālakṣya tato daityaḥ śrāntamantakamojasā //

Translation

Yama legte den Kopf des Daitya auf seine Schulter und begehrte einen Augenblick der Rast. Als der Daitya den erschöpften Antaka (den Vernichter) bemerkte, drückte er ihn mit bloßer Kraft hart nieder.

Word by Word

• स्कन्धे (skandhe): on the shoulder

• निधाय (nidhāya): having placed/rested

• दैत्यस्य (daityasya): of the demon

• मुखम् (mukham): face/head/mouth

• विश्रान्तिम् (viśrāntim): rest, respite

• ऐच्छत (aicchata): desired, sought

• तम् (tam): him

• आलक्ष्य (ālakṣya): having observed/noticed

• ततः (tataḥ): then

• दैत्यः (daityaḥ): the demon

• श्रान्तम् (śrāntam): weary, fatigued

• अन्तकम् (antakam): Antaka (name/epithet, “ender/slayer”)

• ओजसा (ojasā): by strength, with force/vigor

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the combat episode (non-dialogic narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Daitya (demon)
• Antaka

Tags

• Combat
• Daitya
• Heroic narrative
• Strength (Ojas)
• Fatigue and strategy

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it is a battlefield moment highlighting tactical pause, exhaustion, and the opponent’s opportunistic strike.

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

Indirectly, it underscores vigilance and timing: in Matsya Purana’s broader ethic, a ruler (or any responsible person) must not become complacent when weakened, since adversaries exploit lapses in strength and attention.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu Shastra, temple architecture, or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse is purely narrative, centered on physical strength (ojas) and combat dynamics.