Matsya Purana — War of Devas and Dānavas: Yama and Kubera Defeated; Kālanemi’s Māyā and the A..., Shloka 57

Devanagari script

सारथिं चास्य बाणेन दृढेनाभ्यहनद्धृदि चिछेद ज्यामथैकेन तैलधौतेन दानवः //

Transliteration

sārathiṃ cāsya bāṇena dṛḍhenābhyahanaddhṛdi cicheda jyāmathaikena tailadhautena dānavaḥ //

Translation

Und der Dānava traf seinen Wagenlenker mit einem festen Pfeil in die Brust; dann durchschnitt er mit nur einem Pfeil—glatt, als wäre er mit Öl poliert—auch die Bogensehne.

Word by Word

• सारथिम्: the charioteer

• च: and

• अस्य: of him/his

• बाणेन: with an arrow

• दृढेन: firm, powerful

• अभ्यहनत्: struck, smote

• हृदि: in the chest/heart-region

• चिछेद (ciccheda): cut, severed

• ज्याम्: the bowstring

• अथ: then

• एकेन: with one (single)

• तैलधौतेन: oil-washed/oil-polished (i.e., sleek, well-prepared)

• दानवः: the Dānava (demon/Asura).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrative voice) describing the battle episode (likely within a dialogue framework of the Purāṇa)

Entities Mentioned

• Dānava
• Sārathi (charioteer)

Tags

• Battle
• Archery
• Chariot-war
• Asura
• Weaponry

FAQs

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

This verse does not address Pralaya; it is a battlefield detail emphasizing tactical archery—disabling the enemy by striking the charioteer and severing the bowstring.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Kṣatriya-world of the Purāṇas: mastery of arms, strategy, and protecting one’s side in conflict—skills expected of rulers and warriors rather than household ritual duties.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual instruction appears here; the technical focus is on weapon-craft (a well-prepared arrow) and battlefield tactics (cutting the bowstring).