Shloka 12

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

Devanagari script

प्रासैः पाशैश्च विततैर् असंयुक्तैश्च कण्टकैः शोभितं त्रासयानैश्च तोमरैश्च परश्वधैः //

Transliteration

prāsaiḥ pāśaiśca vitatair asaṃyuktaiśca kaṇṭakaiḥ śobhitaṃ trāsayānaiśca tomaraiśca paraśvadhaiḥ //

Translation

It was adorned with spears and with outstretched nooses, and with barbed spikes set apart; and also with fearsome weapons—javelins and battle-axes—meant to strike terror.

Word by Word

• प्रासैः (prāsaiḥ): with spears

• पाशैः (pāśaiḥ): with nooses/ropes

• च (ca): and

• विततैः (vitataiḥ): stretched out, extended

• असंयुक्तैः (asaṃyuktaiḥ): unfastened, separate, not joined

• च (ca): and

• कण्टकैः (kaṇṭakaiḥ): with thorns/spikes/barbs

• शोभितम् (śobhitam): adorned, decorated

• त्रासयानैः (trāsayānaiḥ): terror-causing, frightening

• च (ca): and

• तोमरैः (tomaraiḥ): with javelins/lances

• च (ca): and

• परश्वधैः (paraśvadhaiḥ): with axes/battle-axes.

Speaker

• Suta (narrative voice) relaying the Matsya Purana discourse; likely within Matsya–Manu instruction on royal/military order (contextual attribution)

Tags

• Rajadharma
• Warfare
• Weapons
• Statecraft
• Protection

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it focuses on martial adornment—lists of weapons and fear-inducing defenses.

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

It aligns with Rajadharma: a king must maintain protection and readiness, equipping defenses and forces with appropriate arms to deter threats.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No explicit Vastu or ritual rule appears; the imagery is defensive/military (weapons, spikes, nooses), which can indirectly relate to fortification practices rather than temple architecture.