Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Indra Sends Soma to Battle: Frost-Weapon

Devanagari script

*मत्स्य उवाच एवमस्त्विति संहृष्टः शक्रस्त्रिदशवर्धनः संदिदेशाग्रतः सोमं युद्धाय शिशिरायुधम् //

Transliteration

*matsya uvāca evamastviti saṃhṛṣṭaḥ śakrastridaśavardhanaḥ saṃdideśāgrataḥ somaṃ yuddhāya śiśirāyudham //

Translation

Matsya said: “So be it.” Delighted, Śakra—enhancer of the Thirty (gods)—then commanded Soma to go forth in front for battle, armed with the weapon of chilling frost.

Word by Word

• मत्स्य उवाच: Matsya said

• एवम् अस्तु इति: “so be it”

• संहृष्टः: delighted, greatly pleased

• शक्रः: Śakra (Indra)

• त्रिदश-वर्धनः: increaser/protector of the thirty gods

• संदिदेश: commanded, ordered

• अग्रतः: in the front, ahead

• सोमम्: Soma (the Moon-god/deity Soma)

• युद्धाय: for battle

• शिशिर-आयुधम्: having frost/cold as a weapon, armed with chilling power

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (Vishnu as Matsya)

Entities Mentioned

• Matsya
• Śakra (Indra)
• Soma
• Tridaśas (the thirty gods)

Tags

• Devāsura war
• Indra
• Soma
• Puranic battle narrative
• Divine weapons

FAQs

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

This verse does not describe Pralaya; it belongs to a martial narrative where Indra organizes the gods’ forces, indicating a cosmic order maintained through divine conflict rather than dissolution.

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

By portraying Śakra as a decisive commander who places capable allies at the forefront, the verse mirrors rajadharma ideals: leadership, strategic delegation, and protection of one’s community (like Indra protecting the gods).

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or temple-building rule is stated here; the key technical point is the idea of a deity bearing a specific “weapon-power” (śiśira-āyudha), a motif often echoed in ritual and iconographic descriptions of divine attributes.