Shloka 24

Matsya Purana — Inquiry into Taraka’s Slaying and the Prelude to Guha

Devanagari script

ततः केनापि कालेन हिरण्यकशिपादयः निहता विष्णुना संख्ये शेषाश्चेन्द्रेण दानवाः //

Transliteration

tataḥ kenāpi kālena hiraṇyakaśipādayaḥ nihatā viṣṇunā saṃkhye śeṣāścendreṇa dānavāḥ //

Translation

Then, after some time, Hiraṇyakaśipu and the others were slain by Viṣṇu in battle; and the remaining Dānavas were killed by Indra.

Word by Word

• ततः (tataḥ): then/thereafter

• केनापि (kenāpi): by some/at some

• कालेन (kālena): time/occasion

• हिरण्यकशिपादयः (hiraṇyakaśipādayaḥ): Hiraṇyakaśipu and others

• निहता (nihatāḥ): were slain/killed

• विष्णुना (viṣṇunā): by Viṣṇu

• संख्ये (saṃkhye): in battle/in combat

• शेषाः (śeṣāḥ): the remaining/others left

• च (ca): and

• इन्द्रेण (indreṇa): by Indra

• दानवाः (dānavāḥ): the Dānavas (a class of Asuras).

Speaker

• Lord Matsya (as narrator/teacher to Vaivasvata Manu, within the Matsya Purana discourse frame)

Entities Mentioned

• Viṣṇu
• Indra
• Hiraṇyakaśipu
• Dānavas

Tags

• Daitya-Dānava wars
• Vishnu as protector
• Indra and Devas
• Puranic battle narrative
• Cosmic order (Dharma)

FAQs

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

This verse is not a Pralaya (cosmic dissolution) passage; it highlights the restoration of cosmic order by divine intervention—Viṣṇu and Indra removing disruptive Dānava forces.

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

By portraying Viṣṇu and Indra as upholders of order, the verse supports a core Matsya Purana ethic: rulers should protect society by restraining adharma and safeguarding stability, mirroring the Devas’ role in maintaining righteous governance.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu/temple-building or ritual procedure is stated here; the takeaway is thematic—temple and ritual life in the Purana is grounded in the preservation of dharma, which these divine victories symbolize.