Shloka 45

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

Devanagari script

इति तत्र पुरे ऽमरद्विषाणां सपदि हि पश्चिमकौमुदी तदासीत् / रणशिरसि पराभविष्यतां वै भवतुरगैः कृतसंक्षया अरीणाम् //

Transliteration

iti tatra pure 'maradviṣāṇāṃ sapadi hi paścimakaumudī tadāsīt / raṇaśirasi parābhaviṣyatāṃ vai bhavaturagaiḥ kṛtasaṃkṣayā arīṇām //

Translation

Thus, in that city of the gods’ enemies, a “western moonlight,” dim as at dusk, suddenly fell. And on the very field of battle, those destined for defeat had their foes cut down to the last by the steeds (and riders) of Bhava (Śiva).

Word by Word

• iti: thus

• tatra: there

• pure: in the city

• amara-dviṣāṇām: of the enemies of the immortals (devas)

• sapadi: suddenly, at once

• hi: indeed

• paścima-kaumudī: western moonlight / the pale light of the west (suggesting decline or dusk)

• tadā: then

• āsīt: was, occurred

• raṇa-śirasi: at the head/front of battle, on the battlefield

• parābhaviṣyatām: of those about to be defeated / destined for defeat

• vai: indeed

• bhava-turagaiḥ: by Bhava’s horses/steeds (Bhava = Śiva)

• kṛta-saṃkṣayāḥ: brought to destruction, annihilated

• arīṇām: of enemies/foes.

Speaker

• Suta (narrator) in the Purana-style battle narration (reported speech; not a direct dialogue verse)

Entities Mentioned

• Amaras (Devas)
• Bhava (Shiva)

Tags

• Dynasties
• Battle
• Devas
• Shaiva
• Puranic Warfare

FAQs

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

It does not describe cosmic Pralaya; it uses an image of “western moonlight” as an omen-like metaphor for decline in a battle context, not universal dissolution.

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

Indirectly, it underscores the Purāṇic ethic that adharma-aligned aggressors (“enemies of the devas”) meet swift defeat; for kings, it implies righteous alliances and protection of dharma lead to victory and stability.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vāstu or ritual procedure is taught in this verse; its technical focus is martial imagery and the invocation of Bhava (Śiva) as a decisive power in war.