Shloka 26

Matsya Purana — Code of Conduct and Vow-Procedure for Courtesans

Devanagari script

*दाल्भ्य उवाच पुरा देवासुरे युद्धे हतेषु शतशः सुरैः दानवासुरदैत्येषु राक्षसेषु ततस्ततः //

Transliteration

*dālbhya uvāca purā devāsure yuddhe hateṣu śataśaḥ suraiḥ dānavāsuradaityeṣu rākṣaseṣu tatastataḥ //

Translation

Dalbhya said: Long ago, in the war between the gods and the Asuras, when the Devas had slain hundreds upon hundreds—among the Dānavas, Asuras, Daityas, and Rākṣasas—here and there on every side—

Word by Word

• दाल्भ्यः: Dalbhya (a sage)

• उवाच: said

• पुरा: formerly/long ago

• देवासुरे: between devas and asuras

• युद्धे: in the war

• हतेषु: when (they were) slain

• शतशः: by hundreds/in hundreds

• सुरैः: by the gods (devas)

• दानव: Dānavas (a class of asuras)

• असुर: asuras

• दैत्येषु: among the Daityas

• राक्षसेषु: among the Rākṣasas

• ततस्ततः: here and there/on all sides

Speaker

• Dalbhya (ṛṣi)

Entities Mentioned

• Dalbhya
• Devas (Suras)
• Asuras
• Danavas
• Daityas
• Rakshasas

Tags

• Devasura war
• Puranic battle
• Cosmic conflict
• Mythic history
• Adhyaya 70

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe pralaya directly; it sets a historical-mythic battlefield context (a devas–asuras war) that typically precedes a question about cosmic order, restoration of dharma, or the consequences of large-scale destruction.

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

Indirectly, it frames the theme of conflict and the restoration of order—an ethical backdrop often used in the Matsya Purana to discuss dharma, protection of subjects, and the king’s role in restraining destructive forces, though this specific line itself is only scene-setting.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu, temple-building, iconography, or ritual procedure is mentioned in this verse; it is a narrative transition describing casualties in the devasura war.