Shloka 1

Matsya Purana — Maya’s War-Counsel to the Danavas and the Moonlit Revels in Tripura

Devanagari script

*सूत उवाच तारकाख्ये हते युद्धे उत्सार्य प्रमथान्मयः उवाच दानवान्भूयो भूयः स तु भयावृतान् //

Transliteration

*sūta uvāca tārakākhye hate yuddhe utsārya pramathānmayaḥ uvāca dānavānbhūyo bhūyaḥ sa tu bhayāvṛtān //

Translation

Sūta said: When the battle with Tāraka ended in his death, Maya drove off the Pramathas and again and again addressed the Dānavas, who were overwhelmed with fear.

Word by Word

• sūtaḥ uvāca: Sūta said

• tārakākhye: in the (battle) named after Tāraka / concerning Tāraka

• hate: when (he) was slain

• yuddhe: in the battle

• utsārya: having driven away / having expelled

• pramathān: the Pramathas (Śiva’s attendant hosts)

• mayaḥ: Maya (the Asura architect)

• uvāca: spoke

• dānavān: to the Dānavas (Asura clans)

• bhūyaḥ bhūyaḥ: again and again

• sa tu: he indeed

• bhayāvṛtān: those covered/overcome by fear

Speaker

• Sūta

Entities Mentioned

• Tāraka
• Maya (Asura architect)
• Pramathas
• Dānavas

Tags

• Daitya–Deva War
• Shaiva Mythology
• Asura Politics
• Purana Narrative
• Maya Danava

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it depicts a post-battle scene where Maya rallies the frightened Dānavas after Tāraka’s death.

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

Indirectly, it highlights leadership under crisis: Maya first secures the situation (driving off hostile forces) and then repeatedly addresses demoralized followers—an ethical model of steadiness and counsel in adversity.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No direct Vāstu or ritual rule appears in this line, but the mention of Maya is significant because he is the famed Asura architect in Purāṇic tradition—often associated with extraordinary construction and strategic planning.