Shloka 18

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

Devanagari script

त्वष्टा त्वष्टगजं घोरं यानमास्थाय दानवः व्यूहितुं दानवव्यूहं परिचक्राम वीर्यवान् //

Transliteration

tvaṣṭā tvaṣṭagajaṃ ghoraṃ yānamāsthāya dānavaḥ vyūhituṃ dānavavyūhaṃ paricakrāma vīryavān //

Translation

The mighty Dānava Tvaṣṭā, mounting the fearsome elephant named Tvaṣṭa-gaja, moved about to arrange the battle-formation of the Dānavas.

Word by Word

• त्वष्टा (tvaṣṭā): Tvaṣṭā (a Dānava/Asura leader)

• त्वष्टगजम् (tvaṣṭagajam): the elephant named Tvaṣṭa-gaja

• घोरम् (ghoram): dreadful, terrifying

• यानम् (yānam): mount/vehicle

• आस्थाय (āsthāya): having mounted, having taken refuge upon

• दानवः (dānavaḥ): the Dānava (demon/Asura)

• व्यूहितुम् (vyūhitum): to arrange, to marshal (a formation)

• दानवव्यूहम् (dānavavyūham): the Dānava battle-array/formation

• परिचक्राम (paricakrāma): went around, moved about, circled

• वीर्यवान् (vīryavān): powerful, valiant, mighty.

Speaker

• Sūta (Purāṇic narrator) describing the battle events

Entities Mentioned

• Tvaṣṭā (Dānava)
• Tvaṣṭa-gaja (elephant mount)
• Dānavas

Tags

• Devasura war
• Battle-array (Vyūha)
• Martial narrative
• Asura leaders
• Epic warfare

FAQs

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

Nothing directly—this verse is a battlefield description focused on organizing a Dānava military formation, not on cosmic creation or dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it reflects the kṣātra theme of discipline and strategic organization: leadership is shown through orderly marshalling (vyūha) and command over forces—an archetype of decisive governance and protection.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated; the technical term here is vyūha, a martial ‘array/formation’ concept rather than temple architecture.