Shloka 26

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

Devanagari script

पत्तिनस्त्वपरे दैत्या भीषणा विकृताननाः एकपादार्धपादाश्च ननृतुर्युद्धकाङ्क्षिणः //

Transliteration

pattinastvapare daityā bhīṣaṇā vikṛtānanāḥ ekapādārdhapādāśca nanṛturyuddhakāṅkṣiṇaḥ //

Translation

Other Daityas, serving as foot-soldiers, were dreadful, with grotesque faces; some were one-legged and some half-legged, and, longing for battle, they danced about.

Word by Word

• pattinaḥ: foot-soldiers/infantrymen

• tu: and/indeed

• apare: others

• daityāḥ: Daityas (demons, sons of Diti)

• bhīṣaṇāḥ: terrifying

• vikṛta-ānanāḥ: having distorted/grotesque faces

• eka-pādāḥ: one-legged

• ardha-pādāḥ: half-legged/maimed in the legs

• ca: and

• nanṛtuḥ: they danced/leapt

• yuddha-kāṅkṣiṇaḥ: desiring battle, eager for combat

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) describing the battle-array of the Daityas (within the ongoing Matsya Purana narration)

Entities Mentioned

• Daityas

Tags

• Daityas
• Battle
• Puranic warfare
• Demon hosts
• Mythic imagery

FAQs

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

This verse does not discuss Pralaya; it depicts a wartime mustering where Daitya infantry, deformed and fearsome, express eagerness for combat.

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

Indirectly, it underscores the chaos and terror of adharma-driven forces; a king’s dharma includes protecting subjects from such violent disorder and maintaining social stability.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu, temple-building, or ritual procedure is stated; the verse is purely martial and descriptive, emphasizing ominous bodily forms and battle-fervor.