Shloka 4

Matsya Purana — Agastya’s Origin

Devanagari script

निर्दग्धेषु ततस्तेन दानवेषु सहस्रशः तारकः कमलाक्षश्च कालदंष्ट्रः परावसुः विरोचनश्च संग्रामाद् अपलायंस्तपोधन //

Transliteration

nirdagdheṣu tatastena dānaveṣu sahasraśaḥ tārakaḥ kamalākṣaśca kāladaṃṣṭraḥ parāvasuḥ virocanaśca saṃgrāmād apalāyaṃstapodhana //

Translation

Then, when thousands of Dānavas had been burned by him, Tāraka, Kamalākṣa, Kāladaṃṣṭra, Parāvasu, and Virocana fled from the battlefield—O ascetic sage.

Word by Word

• निर्दग्धेषु: when (they) were burned

• ततः: then

• तेन: by him/thereby

• दानवेषु: among the Dānavas (demons/Daityas)

• सहस्रशः: by the thousands

• तारकः: Tāraka (a Dānava)

• कमलाक्षः: Kamalākṣa (lotus-eyed

• च: and

• कालदंष्ट्रः: Kāladaṃṣṭra (time/black-fanged

• परावसुः: Parāvasu (a named Dānava)

• विरोचनः: Virocana (a famed Asura)

• च: and

• संग्रामात्: from the battle

• अपलायन्/अपलायंस्त: fled/ran away

• तपोधन: O one rich in austerities (address to the sage).

Speaker

• Sūta (narrator) addressing the listening sage(s) (tapodhana)

Entities Mentioned

• Dānavas
• Tāraka
• Kamalākṣa
• Kāladaṃṣṭra
• Parāvasu
• Virocana

Tags

• Asura-war
• Daityas
• Battle-narrative
• Puranic-heroes
• Matsya-Purana-episode

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it depicts a war episode where leading Dānavas flee after many of their forces are burned.

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

Indirectly, it underscores a Purāṇic ethic of courage and steadfastness in conflict—cowardly flight is portrayed as the consequence of being overpowered—serving as a narrative contrast to the kṣatriya ideal of standing firm.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

None is explicit in this verse; it is purely martial narrative and does not state Vāstu, temple-building, or ritual procedure details.