Shloka 21

Matsya Purana — Skanda’s Consecration

Devanagari script

दैत्येन्द्रस्तारको नाम सर्वामरकुलान्तकृत् बलवान्दुर्जयो दुष्टो दुराचारो ऽतिकोपनः तमेव जहि हृद्यो ऽर्थ एषो ऽस्माकं भयापह //

Transliteration

daityendrastārako nāma sarvāmarakulāntakṛt balavāndurjayo duṣṭo durācāro 'tikopanaḥ tameva jahi hṛdyo 'rtha eṣo 'smākaṃ bhayāpaha //

Translation

There is a lord of the Dānavas named Tāraka, a bringer of ruin upon the entire lineage of the gods. He is mighty, hard to conquer—wicked, of corrupt conduct, and exceedingly wrathful. Slay him alone; this is the cherished purpose that will remove our fear.

Word by Word

दैत्येन्द्रःlord of the Daityas (demon-king)

तारकःTāraka (proper name)

नामnamed

सर्व-अमर-कुल-अन्त-कृत्maker of the end/destruction of the entire clan of immortals (gods)

बलवान्powerful

दुर्जयःdifficult to defeat

दुष्टःwicked

दुराचारःof evil conduct

अति-कोपनःexceedingly prone to anger

तम् एवhim alone/that very one

जहिslay (imperative)

हृद्यःdear to the heart/cherished

अर्थःaim, purpose, objective

एषःthis

अस्माकम्of us/our

भय-अपहremover of fear

Speaker

The Devas (gods), petitioning for deliverance

Entities Mentioned

TārakaDaityasAmaras (Devas)

FAQs

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

This verse is not about Pralaya; it focuses on restoring cosmic order by removing a destructive Daitya who threatens the gods.

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

It mirrors the dharmic duty of protection: just as the gods seek the removal of a tyrannical threat, a king is expected to restrain violent wrongdoers and remove fear from society.

What is the architectural or ritual significance mentioned here?

No Vastu or ritual procedure is stated in this verse; the emphasis is on identifying a specific source of disorder (Tāraka) and seeking decisive action to restore safety.