Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Description of the Daitya–Dānava War Preparations and Maya’s Divine Chariots

Devanagari script

*मत्स्य उवाच ततो ऽभयं विष्णुवचः श्रुत्वा दैत्याश्च दानवाः उद्योगं विपुलं चक्रुर् युद्धाय विजयाय च //

Transliteration

*matsya uvāca tato 'bhayaṃ viṣṇuvacaḥ śrutvā daityāśca dānavāḥ udyogaṃ vipulaṃ cakrur yuddhāya vijayāya ca //

Translation

Lord Matsya said: Then, having heard the fearless, assuring words of Viṣṇu, the Daityas and the Dānavas undertook vast preparations—both for battle and for victory.

Word by Word

• मत्स्य उवाच: Matsya said

• ततः: then

• अभयम्: fearlessness / assurance of safety

• विष्णुवचः: the words of Viṣṇu

• श्रुत्वा: having heard

• दैत्याः च: and the Daityas

• दानवाः: the Danavas

• उद्योगम्: effort / undertaking / preparations

• विपुलम्: great / extensive

• चक्रुः: they made / they carried out

• युद्धाय: for battle

• विजयाय: for victory

• च: and

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Viṣṇu as Matsya), narrating

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Vishnu
• Daityas
• Danavas

Tags

• Asura-Preparations
• War-Narrative
• Puranic-Dialogue
• Vishnu-Assurance
• Matsya-Purana

FAQs

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

This verse does not address pralaya or cosmology; it depicts a martial episode where Viṣṇu’s assuring words embolden the Daityas and Dānavas to prepare for conflict.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the puranic theme that counsel and morale-shaping speech can drive collective action; in rajadharma terms, strategic preparation (udyoga) and clarity of aim (victory) are prerequisites for any campaign—though here the agents are asuras rather than ideal kings.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; its focus is on military mobilization (udyoga) prompted by a divine assurance.