Shloka 23

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

Devanagari script

दैत्यव्यूहगतो भाति सनीहार इवांशुमान् स्वर्भानुरास्ययोधी तु दशनोष्ठेक्षणायुधः //

Transliteration

daityavyūhagato bhāti sanīhāra ivāṃśumān svarbhānurāsyayodhī tu daśanoṣṭhekṣaṇāyudhaḥ //

Translation

Set within the Daityas’ battle-formation, he shone like the sun veiled by mist; and that warrior of the lineage of Svarbhānu bore teeth, lips, and eyes as his weapons.

Word by Word

• दैत्य-व्यूह-गतः: having entered/positioned within the Daitya battle-array

• भाति: shines, appears radiant

• स-नीहारः: with mist, mist-veiled

• इव: like, as if

• अंशुमान्: the sun (the radiant one)

• स्वर्भानु-रास्य-योधी: a warrior of the race/lineage (rāśi/rāsya) of Svarbhānu

• तु: and/indeed

• दशन: teeth

• ओष्ठ: lips

• ईक्षण: eyes, glance

• आयुधः: weapon-armed, having as weapons

Speaker

• Suta (Pauranika narrator) describing the battle scene (likely within a Matsya–Manu dialogue frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Daityas
• Svarbhanu
• Aṃśumān (Sun)

Tags

• DaityaVyuhas
• AsuraWarfare
• PuranicSimile
• BattleIconography
• MatsyaPuranaNarrative

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it is a battlefield description, using a cosmic image (the mist-veiled sun) to convey the warrior’s ominous radiance within the Daitya battle-array.

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

Indirectly, it illustrates the Purāṇic ideal of vigilance in conflict: the vivid portrayal of a fearsome champion and organized formations (vyūha) underscores the importance of disciplined strategy and awareness of adversaries—qualities expected of rulers in dharma-guided governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is stated here; the verse is primarily poetic-heroic imagery (simile and demon iconography), not temple architecture or rite-instructions.