Shloka 15

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

Devanagari script

युक्तं रथसहस्रेण हयग्रीवस्तु दानवः स्यन्दनं वाहयामास सपत्नानीकमर्दनः //

Transliteration

yuktaṃ rathasahasreṇa hayagrīvastu dānavaḥ syandanaṃ vāhayāmāsa sapatnānīkamardanaḥ //

Translation

Then Hayagrīva, that Dānava—crusher of the enemy host—had his chariot conveyed, harnessed with a thousand chariots (in support/escort).

Word by Word

• युक्तम् (yuktam): harnessed, properly yoked/arrayed

• रथसहस्रेण (ratha-sahasreṇa): with a thousand chariots (as force/escort)

• हयग्रीवः (hayagrīvaḥ): Hayagriva (name of the Danava here)

• तु (tu): indeed/then

• दानवः (dānavaḥ): demon, Danava

• स्यन्दनम् (syandanam): chariot, war-car

• वाहयामास (vāhayāmāsa): caused to be driven, had conveyed

• सपत्न (sapatna): enemy, rival

• अनीक (anīka): army, battle-array/host

• मर्दनः (mardanaḥ): crusher, destroyer.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) speaking in the Purāṇic narrative voice (battle description)

Entities Mentioned

• Hayagriva (Danava)

Tags

• Danava
• Battle
• Chariot
• Epic narrative
• Military array

FAQs

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

This verse is not about pralaya; it is a martial scene emphasizing military mobilization—Hayagriva advancing with a massive chariot-backed force.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the Purāṇic ideal of organized force and strategic readiness—qualities expected of a ruler’s kṣātra duty in protecting the realm and defeating hostile armies.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the technical focus is on warfare vocabulary (syandana, anīka) and the imagery of a large, disciplined war array.